Oil marketers have confirmed commencement of loading Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and kerosene from the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC).
Speaking to The PUNCH, the oil dealers urged for the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol) from the recently rehabilitated refinery.
The WRPC, managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), resumed operations on December 30, 2024, following an announcement by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, during a tour of the facility.
During an interaction at the refinery on Friday, the Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Harry Okenini, acknowledged that while the plant was operational, it had not reached full capacity.
He noted that marketers were currently lifting diesel and kerosene from the refinery but awaiting the production of petrol.
“Right now, there is no production of petrol. So, we are not loading PMS. We hope to load PMS soon. We can confirm to you that the plant is working although not at 100 per cent. And IPMAN, Warri Depot Unit, is waiting for the production of PMS so that we can load.
“For now, only the Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, and Dual Purpose Kerosene are being produced and loaded out for consumption.
“Hopefully, by February, we are expecting cooking gas, PMS, and other products to come out. As of now, the retail unit is only loading AGO and DPK,” he added.
The National Chairman of the Surface Tank and Kerosene Peddlers, a branch of NUPENG, Israel Omokere, also confirmed the refinery’s operations.
He said, “Hopefully the PMS will come on board. We are loading kerosene and AGO for now.”
Similarly, Kingsley Erituoyo, Delta State Chairman of Surface Tank and Kerosene Peddlers branch of NUPENG, remarked on the refinery’s resurgence.
“For so many years the refinery was down, today the refinery is up,” he said.
However, observations by Sunday PUNCH at the WRPC indicated minimal truck activity within the complex.
Operations appeared skeletal compared to the refinery’s peak performance when it operated at full capacity.
Industry insiders revealed that further measures by the Federal Government and NNPCL were necessary for the refinery to commence full PMS production.
During the visit, it was noted that the main entrance to the refinery gave little indication of significant activity, with security operatives preventing journalists from taking photographs on the premises.
Sources within the refinery disclosed that only one of the three units was operational, producing diesel, gas, and kerosene.
“For now, only one unit is working at the refinery. You know there are three units; but only one is in operation, producing diesel, gas, and kerosene.
“The unit can’t give fuel for now. If the second unit starts working, it can produce PMS. It is the last unit to operate because it’s very big and complicated,” a source explained.
