The commencement of production at the country’s 125,000 barrels per day capacity refinery in Warri, the Delta State Capital, has been received by many Nigerians with joy and excitement especially as it brings fresh hope of cheap petroleum products.
Buying cheap petrol, as we all know has been the hope and prayer point of many Nigerians.
Chances are, if petrol is cheap, the price of every other thing would be affordable.
This theory has been tested several, each time there is an increase in fuel price, the price of every other product and service increases.
That is when you start hearing “Fuel don cost” from almost every trader you meet.
However, on Monday, December 30, Nigerians received a good news from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The company announced that it has commenced operations at the Warri Refinery.
A Visit To Warri Refinery
Speaking during a guided tour of the Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC), the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, disclosed that the refinery is not fully functional, but assured that efforts are ongoing to achieve 100 percent functionality.
Clarifying doubts and concerns by Nigerians regarding the authenticity of the refinery, Kyari stated: “We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. It is not 100 percent. We are still in the process. Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real.”
Fresh Hope For Nigerians
The NNPC boss, who was accompanied by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Chief Executive Officer Farouk Ahmen, appreciated the host community for their support during the rehabilitation of the Warri Refinery.
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It should be recalled that the NNPC on November announced the commencement of production at one of Nigeria’s Refinery, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after several postponements and a series of deadline flops by the company.
The NNPC Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, who confirmed the commissioning via a statement, described the Port Harcourt Refinery as a monumental achievement for Nigeria.
With Dangote Refinery, Port Harcourt Refinery, and Warri Refinery in place, Nigerians are hopeful that fuel scarcity will be eliminated and the product would be affordable.
However, only time can tell what the future brings.
