President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries will resume operations as his administration works to restore the country’s refining capacity.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Thursday when he met with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The NUPENG delegation was led by its Executive President, Salimon Akanni Oladiti. He commended the government’s partnership with Chinese firms to rehabilitate the two refineries.
Oladiti also appealed to Tinubu to revive the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company depots across the country, which he said had deteriorated.
Tinubu speaks on refineries
Responding to the union, Tinubu said the refineries would return to operation after the government completes plans to restructure the facilities.
“The refineries that you mentioned are going to come back to work,” the President said.
He explained that fixing the facilities was now his responsibility, regardless of the challenges inherited from previous administrations. Tinubu also stressed that producing smoke and flames from a refinery does not mean the facility is operating effectively. He said the refineries must be profitable and deliver value to Nigerians.
NUPENG praises road projects
Oladiti also praised the Federal Government for its ongoing rehabilitation of federal highways. He said better roads would make journeys safer for tanker drivers and help reduce accidents and fuel spillages. The NUPENG leader highlighted major projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
Tinubu addresses CNG request
Tinubu further promised to consider NUPENG’s request to benefit from the Compressed Natural Gas scheme. However, he urged the union to ensure that the benefits of CNG also reach ordinary Nigerians and commuters. The President thanked NUPENG for its continued support and partnership with his administration, adding that the government would continue working to improve the economy and make life more affordable for Nigerians.
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