Femi Adi / Kaduna

Dr Ibe Kachikwu

Nigerian National Petroleum Company  said it is   considering the option of building new refineries to support the old ones as soon as possible .

The group Managing Director of NNPC , Dr. Ibe Kachikwu who disclosed this during an official tour of Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company , KRPC today said it obvious that the old refineries are wearing out and  can no longer meet up the demands and supply of products across the country .

According to NNPC boss , it is only when new refineries are built that the problems of fuel scarcity and other  problems associated with the  inability of  NNPC and its subsidiary to deliver will be resolved .

Fielding questions from journalists on assessment of Kaduna Refinery after the tour  , Kachikwu said  there  is need for a new model  if it must work optimally.

He also said because the refinery is very key to survival of the economy of Kaduna State and other states in the  north, the management is working hard to  make KRPC work to full  capacity .

While noting that three out of the six units of Kaduna refinery are working , he reiterated the commitment of the management to ensure that within the stipulated  90 days time frame ,  some elements of Kaduna plant would work as planed.

On the issue of pipeline  security  against vandalism after the tour of the plant  in Kaduna ,  Kachikwu said the new management has  already measure taken by the current management to deploy strategic military approach to safeguard the pipelines and block leakages arising from pipelines breaks and product loss .

“We have been sending a body language message that the business of messing around with our pipelines are over”. He stated.

Meanwhile , he gave assurance that NNPC will soon start pumping   crude  oil  from Warri to Kaduna  once the problems on pipelines are rectified .

Speaking on the  crude swap cancellation, Kachikwu maintained   is done to ensure transparency and recover millions of dollars looted through the swap deals . Stressing,  ” We have saved 200 million dollars by virtue of doing that”.