By Tonia Okereke
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Olufemi Soneye has invited former President Olusegun Obasanjo to visit the company’s rehabilitated refineries.
Soneye was reacting to Obasanjo’s recent statements on the practicality of the $2 billion invested in the facilities.
The former President had described the revamp of the Warri and Port-Harcourt Refineries as a waste of resources, recalling how his administration failed to bring the government -owned refineries back to life.
“I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than two billion dollars have been squandered on the refinery, and they still will not work. If anyone tells you now that it is working, why are they still with Aliko? Aliko will not only make his refinery work but also make it deliver,” Obasanjo said.
In response, Soneye, extended an invitation for a tour of both refineries to the former President.
He said: “We hold President Olusegun Obasanjo in the highest regard as a statesman who has significantly contributed to Nigeria’s development. His observations are deeply respected. However, we wish to emphasize that NNPC has undergone a remarkable transformation.
“We warmly invite President Obasanjo to tour the rehabilitated refineries. His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we deeply appreciate his guidance. This visit will offer an opportunity to witness the progress we have achieved under NNPC Limited’s leadership”.
Soneye further stated that NNPCL under the Group CEO, Mele Kyari has moved from recording losses, to a profitable global energy leader. He added that the refinery rehabilitations were comprehensive overhauls designed to meet world-class standards, distinguishing them from the failed Turnaround Maintenance contracts of the past.
………President Tinubu’s early commendation for NNPCL
While the former President criticized the revamp of the Warri and Port-Harcourt refineries, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended Kyari and hailed the return of both facilities as an achievement worth of celebration.
The President in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday December 31, 2024, commended NNPCL for delivering the Warri Refinery weeks after the Port-Harcourt Refinery came back on stream.
The statement read in part: “Today, the Warri Refinery returned to operation weeks after NNPC Limited restarted the 60,000 Barrels per day at the Port Harcourt Refinery in November.
“With Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) going into operation after several years of inactivity, President Tinubu has once again expressed his administration’s determination to ramp up local refining capacity and make Nigeria a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa”.
Onanuga recalled that the All Progressives Congress-led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari awarded the contract for the complete rehabilitation and overhaul of the four state-owned refineries.
“President Tinubu noted with confidence that with the 125,000 (bpd) Warri Refinery now operating at 60% capacity, his administration’s comprehensive plan to ensure energy efficiency and security is entirely on course. He praised the Mele Kyari-led management of the NNPCL for working hard to restore Nigeria’s glory and pride as a major oil-producing country.
“The restart of Warri Refinery today brings joy and gladness to me and Nigerians. This will further strengthen the hope and confidence of Nigerians for a greater and better future that we promised. This development is a remarkable way to end the year following the feat recorded earlier with the old Port Harcourt Refinery. I am equally happy that NNPC Limited is implementing my directive to restore all four refineries to good working condition.
“I congratulate Mele Kyari and his team at NNPCL for working hard to restore our national pride and make Nigeria a hub for crude oil refining in Africa,” President Tinubu was quoted as saying in the statement.
Moving forward, President Tinubu enjoined NNPCL to accelerate repair work on Kaduna Refinery and the 150,000 (bpd) second refinery in Port Harcourt to consolidate Nigeria’s position as a global energy provider.
WRPC will focus on producing and storing critical products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha, Onanuga disclosed.
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