Ike Amos
22 May 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos — Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, Monday, said he would resign if Nigeria fails to achieve self-sufficiency in crude oil refining by 2019.
In an interview with the BBC, Kachikwu maintained that the target for self-sufficiency in local refining remains 2019 and that efforts are in top gear to meet the target.
The BBC had told him that 2019 is near, while it also asked if he would take a walk if the targets are not met, Kachikwu replied, “Yes, of course, that is the reason why you are in government. Don’t worry, I have set the target and I am committed to walking the talk.
Kachikwu noted that since he came into office, the present administration had been able to improve the output of the refineries and that the refineries are currently undergoing refurbishment.
He said, “Since coming we have been able to get them back to begin to produce 7 million litres versus zero. That is not the 90 percent template. We are now refurbishing the refineries.”
Kachikwu further stated that he has delivered on every of his targets since coming into office and would not relent until all his targets are met.
He said, “I have delivered on everything since I came to office. First, I took NNPC and moved them into a profit making organization; the first time in history and reshaped the organization.
“I removed cash call deficit of over $6 billion, negotiated it. Everything that I have promised since coming into office, I have delivered. I will deliver to the refineries and I am committed to that and I will also deliver a future for oil that makes sense for Nigeria.
“But bear in mind one has been there for one and half years, the president has been there for two years. I can’t pretend that we are going to solve in one day all the problems that happened in Nigeria in the past.”