The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has strongly refuted reports of an explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), dismissing such claims as false and misleading.
In an official statement, NNPC clarified that WRPC Area 1 was deliberately shut down on January 25, 2025, to facilitate routine maintenance and intervention works on critical equipment. The company emphasized that the shutdown was a planned operation aimed at ensuring the continued production of high-quality petroleum products.
According to the statement, which was signed by NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, the maintenance work is crucial for refining key petroleum products such as Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Kerosene (Kero). The statement further reassured the public that the refinery’s operations are expected to resume in the coming days without any major disruptions.
Despite the temporary shutdown, the company noted that AGO loading has been maintained at an average rate of eight trucks per day over the past 11 days. This continuity in supply, NNPC explained, underscores the refinery’s ability to manage maintenance processes without affecting product availability.
NNPC condemned the spread of misinformation regarding the alleged explosion, warning against sensationalized reports that could mislead the public. The company reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and accurate information dissemination, urging the public to rely on verified sources for updates regarding its operations.
The statement serves as a firm response to false claims while also highlighting NNPC’s ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency. By addressing rumors swiftly and providing factual clarifications, NNPC aims to maintain public confidence in its operations and ensure that maintenance activities are not misinterpreted as incidents of crisis.
