Senator announces December restart for Warri, Port Harcourt, Kaduna refineries

Senator Jide Ipinsagba, representing Ondo North Senatorial District, has assured that Nigeria’s major refineries will resume operations by the end of the year.

As the Senate Chairman on Niger Delta Affairs, Ipinsagba confirmed that the ongoing refurbishments at the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries are progressing well, with operations expected to commence by December. He shared this update during a speech in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, on Saturday.

Ipinsagba, who also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, emphasized that the operational readiness of these refineries would significantly alleviate the petroleum sector challenges in Nigeria.

“Efforts are at an advanced stage to ensure all refineries are functional by year-end. Currently, Port Harcourt refinery is 90-95% optimized, Warri is at 80%, and Kaduna at 70%. The Dangote refinery is also ready to begin operations soon. This will address our internal fuel needs,” Ipinsagba stated.

He highlighted the potential for exporting refined oil, which would improve the exchange rate, as Nigeria starts to engage in exportation. He stressed that this timeline for the refineries is realistic, based on recent oversight visits by the committee to the sites in Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Warri.

The senator also called for patience from Nigerians, assuring that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to stabilizing the country and implementing recovery plans. “Rehabilitation is a gradual process. President Tinubu is working hard to stabilize the nation, and we are seeing interventions from various quarters. I urge Nigerians to be patient and observe the government’s performance,” he said.

In his constituency, Ipinsagba outlined several initiatives, including lighting projects at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, and other areas in Owo and Ikare.

He mentioned the installation of boreholes, emergency response measures, and the distribution of palliatives such as rice and fertilizer to farmers. Scholarships have also been awarded to 600-1,000 students to support education.