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Ikenna Ngere
Guest
The former Director-General of the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign, Doyin Okupe, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the successful revitalisation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, calling it a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s transformation.
Okupe, who previously served as spokesperson for Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, shared his views in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos.
Okupe praised President Tinubu’s leadership, describing the rejuvenation of the long-neglected refinery as a landmark achievement that propels Nigeria towards energy autonomy, economic rejuvenation, and national pride.
He credited the tireless efforts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its CEO, Mele Kyari, for the refinery’s revival.
“It is with immense pride and hearty congratulations that I commend the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the tireless efforts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under the stewardship of its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mele Kyari.
“The recent success of bringing the long-moribund Port Harcourt Refinery back on stream is a monumental achievement that marks a turning point in Nigeria’s journey toward energy independence, economic revitalisation, and national pride.
“President Tinubu’s reform agenda has, without question, set Nigeria on a transformative path.
“The revitalisation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, a critical national asset that languished for years due to neglect, mismanagement, and systemic corruption, is an attestation to the President’s unwavering resolve and steadfast commitment to the nation’s progress,” Okupe said.
He noted that the refinery’s restoration—once a symbol of neglect, mismanagement, and corruption—underscores President Tinubu’s dedication to addressing the systemic issues that have hindered the country’s progress.
Okupe highlighted that the revitalisation aligns with the age-old saying, “where there is a will, there is always a way,” signifying Tinubu’s resolve to overhaul Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Okupe also recounted the history of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), now rebranded as NNPCL, which had long been plagued by inefficiency and misuse of resources, often serving the interests of a few rather than the nation.
He pointed out how this corruption had stalled national growth, leaving essential infrastructure, like the Port Harcourt Refinery, in ruin.
Before Mele Kyari’s leadership, Okupe said NNPC was notorious for inefficiency. However, Kyari’s reforms and internal restructuring have transformed the organisation, allowing it to restore the refinery and revitalise Nigeria’s refining capabilities.
The refinery’s reopening has already reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products and bolstered the country’s energy security, Okupe explained.
However, he acknowledged that such progress often attracts opposition and attempts to tarnish achievements through negative campaigns and misinformation.
Despite these challenges, Okupe affirmed that the successful revival of the Port Harcourt Refinery and the broader reforms led by the Tinubu administration signal renewed hope for the country.
Naija News reported that on November 27, 2024, the NNPCL confirmed that operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery had resumed following extensive rehabilitation.
With a processing capacity of 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, the refinery is expected to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependency on imported refined products, strengthening the nation’s local refining industry.
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