Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has said he would resign his appointment if Nigeria continues to import fuel by 2019. Kachikwu stated this during an interview on BBC World Service programme, HardTalk, on Monday. Nigeria has been a heavy importer of fuel despite being a heavy producer of crude oil.
Such anomaly, Kachikwu said he would address during his tenure.
He promised to deliver on the refineries and said he was committed to also delivering a future for oil for Nigeria.
When asked when the country was going to be self-sufficient in terms of refining petroleum, the following dialogue ensued:
Kachikwu: I have stated it, 2019 is the target.
BBC: You are running out of time because you know that we are near now.
Kachikwu: Don’t worry; I put the date, I will work it.
BBC: And if you don’t achieve it, you will walk (away)?
Kachikwu: Yes! Of course that is the reason why you are in government.
The Minister also said that he has been able to get refineries back to produce 7million litres of petroleum product, since he assumed office one-and-half year ago.
“I have delivered on everything since I came to office. First, I took NNPC and moved them into a profit making organization first time in history and reshaped the organization.
“I removed cash call deficit of over $6bn, negotiated it. Everything that I have promised since coming into office, I have delivered. I will deliver on the refineries and I am committed to that and I will also deliver a future for oil that makes sense for Nigeria,” he said.
His BBC appearance which aired severally for much of Monday also cleared the air on how the restiveness in the oil-rich Niger Delta was calmed. The minister gave the credit to the Buhari government with himself as the arrowhead of negotiations.
