Bayo Ojulari, group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, says the company will continue to drill oil in the north.
In November 2022, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari flagged off the Kolmani Integrated Development Project (KIPRO) situated in the boundary of Bauchi and Gombe states.
Buhari had also flagged off the spud-in of the Ebenyi-A exploration well located in Obi local government area, Nasarawa state.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Ojuari said the Kolmani oil exploration project on the border of Bauchi and Gombe states will continue.
“We will continue the projects in Kolmani and other part of the north,” he said.
The NNPC boss also said the company will continue with the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project.
“After completing the projects, companies that were closed will surely reopen and new companies will spring up too,” he said.
“We will continue from next month and people will start witnessing the commencement of the project by God’s will.”
Speaking further, Ojulari said the revenue generated from selling oil and gas will be used to continue the projects.
However, he said with global oil prices dropping, the country will not receive the anticipated revenue from such initiatives.
Ojulari assured that the pump price of petrol would reduce once new supplies are procured at lower costs, explaining that oil marketers purchased the current stock at high prices, hence the high cost of the product.
Speaking further, the NNPC boss praised Dangote refinery for “doing a wonderful job”.
Regarding issues between the refinery and the NNPC, Ojulari said he had a meeting with Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group, during which they discussed and resolved to collaborate.
He assured that everything would proceed smoothly and petroleum products would be readily available at stations.
Ojulari added that “we are together and Nigerians will benefit our togetherness”.