The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to restart the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries in order to assure local petrol refining.

Mr Jator Abido, the council’s National Coordinator, made the announcement in Abuja on Thursday.

Abido stated that issuing more modular refinery licences would also secure energy self-sufficiency and empower Nigerians.

With the withdrawal of the petrol subsidy and the growing prices of refined products, he added, the restoration of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries were key priority.

“The region stands to benefit greatly from the resumption of operations in these refineries, which has the potential to stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities.”

“We also hope that if Modular Refining licences are granted, they will promote self-sufficiency in the energy sector and empower Nigerians.”

“For a long time, the region’s seaports and inland waterways were abandoned in favour of Lagos’ Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports.”

”This has hampered the country’s and the region’s development, particularly because port activities provide direct and indirect jobs, as well as other economic spillovers,” he said.

“The beginning of operations in Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar, Warri, Koko, and other seports in the region will unlock Nigeria’s economic potentials and contribute significantly to the region’s growth,” Abido noted.