President Bola Tinubu has expressed delight over the successful revitalization of the Port Harcourt refinery, marked by the official commencement of petroleum product loading on Monday.
In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu extended heartfelt congratulations to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on this remarkable achievement.
The President acknowledged the pivotal role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries and expressed gratitude to the African Export-Import Bank for its confidence in financing this critical project.
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Furthermore, President Tinubu commended the leadership of NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, whose unwavering dedication and commitment were instrumental in overcoming challenges to achieve this milestone.
With the successful revival of the Port Harcourt refinery, Tinubu urged NNPC Limited to expedite the scheduled reactivation of the second Port Harcourt refinery as well as the Warri and Kaduna refineries.
According to the statement, these efforts will significantly enhance domestic production capacity. Combined with the contributions of privately-owned refineries, this will position Nigeria as a major energy hub, with the gas sector also receiving unprecedented attention under the current administration.
The President underscored his administration’s determination to repair the nation’s refineries, aiming to eliminate the disheartening perception of Nigeria as a major crude oil producer unable to refine its resources for domestic use.
Highlighting the values of patience, integrity, and accountability in rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure, Tinubu called on individuals, institutions, and citizens entrusted with responsibilities to maintain focus and uphold trust in their service to the nation.
The statement further noted that, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on shared economic prosperity for all, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving energy sufficiency, enhancing energy security, and boosting Nigeria’s export capacity.
