The ongoing rehabilitation efforts at the Warri Refinery in Delta State have garnered approval from the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). Comrade Chief Innocent Iyere, Zonal Chairman of NUPENG Warri, expressed satisfaction in a statement to the media, urging the federal government to maintain the current pace of work at the refinery.
Iyere conveyed optimism, stating that if the government continues on its current trajectory, there is a possibility that the Warri refinery may resume production within the year. He emphasized the significance of government-owned refineries in benefiting citizens, stressing that their operational efficiency would contribute to the welfare of the people.
While commending the progress of the private Dangote refinery, projected to commence production by the end of the month, Iyere emphasized the need for the government not to slacken its efforts in revitalizing its own refineries. He called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that all three refineries, including Warri, come online as projected, highlighting the potential positive impact on reducing the cost of petroleum products nationwide.
Comrade Iyere acknowledged the influence the Dangote refinery could have on pricing due to its projected surplus in production. However, he underscored the importance of government-owned refineries, noting that their contribution to the market would likely have a more substantial impact on the lives of Nigerians.
“Dangote refinery will affect pricing when it takes off. If the commodity is surplus, it will reduce price. If the Dangote refinery commences production, it will reduce the price. But let us not forget that it is a private business with profit motive as the key factor. So, the federal government should strive to complete the work in the government-owned refineries. They will better the people more when they start production,” emphasized Comrade Iyere.
