False reports of an explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) sent waves of concern across the country, but the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has set the record straight. The company has confirmed that there was no explosion, fire, or any form of emergency at the facility. Instead, operations were deliberately scaled down to facilitate routine maintenance and essential intervention works on key equipment.
In an official statement, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, dismissed the circulating reports as false and misleading. He clarified that the temporary shutdown of WRPC Area 1 was a controlled process aimed at ensuring the efficient and uninterrupted operation of the refinery. According to him, intervention work was necessary to address specific technical concerns affecting field instruments crucial for refining activities.
Despite the maintenance activities, NNPC reassured Nigerians that fuel supply remains stable. Over the past 11 days, an average of eight trucks per day have been loaded with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), ensuring consistent distribution to meet market demands. The company emphasized that there is no disruption to petroleum product availability and that all measures are in place to maintain a steady supply chain.
NNPC reiterated its commitment to operational transparency, efficiency, and Nigeria’s goal of self-sufficiency in refining petroleum products. With the ongoing rehabilitation of the country’s refineries, including Warri and Port Harcourt, the company is working toward reducing dependency on fuel imports while strengthening the nation’s energy security. The refinery is expected to resume full operations in the coming days, once the maintenance work is completed.
As concerns about Nigeria’s refining capacity continue to be a major topic of discussion, NNPC assured the public that its refining operations are progressing as planned. The company urged Nigerians to disregard unverified reports and rely on official statements for accurate information regarding the energy sector.
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