The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has vowed to resign if Nigeria continues to import fuel by 2019.
Dr. Ibe Kachikwu stated this during an interview on BBC World Service programme, HardTalk, on Monday.
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.