Kachikwu: Fuel subsidy cost Nigeria $65bn in four years

Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum resources, has said subsidies for petrol and kerosene cost Nigeria $65bn between 2011 and 2015.

According to Kachikwu, the amount excluded an estimated $6bn lost by the country to vandalism of oil and gas infrastructure.

Daily Trust quoted the minister as saying this on Thursday in a presentation at a two-day African modular refinery forum.

Kachikwu was represented by Olumide Adeleke, the deputy director, engineering and standards of the DPR.

The minister also bemoaned the fact that the country was still importing 92 per cent of its daily fuel consumption despite its four refineries.

“The foreign exchange requirement for importation of petroleum products is estimated at $28bn (N3.35tn) annually, with 40 per cent of the total amount (N1.34tn) dedicated to financing the logistics of importation,” Kachikwu said.

Kachikwu reiterated his resolve to ensure that Nigeria achieves 50 per cent domestic refining capacity by 4th quarter of 2018 and 100 per cent domestic refining capacity by 4th quarter of 2019.