President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) for achieving a significant milestone with the resumption of petroleum product loading at the Port Harcourt refinery, marking a pivotal step in revitalising Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu lauded the contributions of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who initiated the comprehensive rehabilitation of the country’s refineries. He also expressed gratitude to the African Export-Import Bank for its financial support and praised NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, for his leadership.
“Your dedication and commitment were instrumental in achieving this milestone,” the President said.
With the Port Harcourt refinery operational, Tinubu directed NNPC to expedite the reactivation of the second Port Harcourt refinery, as well as the Warri and Kaduna refineries. According to the President, these efforts aim to bolster domestic production capacity and position Nigeria as a major energy hub globally.
“These efforts will significantly enhance domestic production capacity alongside the contributions of privately-owned refineries and make our country a major energy hub,” the statement read. Tinubu also noted that his administration’s focus on the gas sector is attracting unprecedented attention and growth.
The President emphasised his administration’s resolve to eliminate Nigeria’s reliance on crude oil exports without refining resources locally.
“This administration is determined to repair our nation’s refineries, reflecting values of patience, integrity, and accountability in rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure,” the statement added.
Reiterating his Renewed Hope Agenda, Tinubu highlighted the importance of energy sufficiency, security, and boosting export capacity to achieve shared economic prosperity.
He urged stakeholders and citizens to demonstrate trust, focus, and diligence in their service to the nation as Nigeria works toward becoming an energy self-sufficient economy.
The revival of the Port Harcourt refinery marks a crucial milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s energy sector.