President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s "Renewed Hope" initiative focuses on reviving the country's oil and gas industry to boost efficiency and maximize economic benefits. Nonetheless, doubts have emerged regarding possible obstacles to this plan, particularly due to the actions and impact of Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who serves as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. The main concern at present is whether individual ambitions within the ministry could impede Tinubu’s larger goals for oil and gas reforms. ROLAND OGBONNAYA writes.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s comprehensive "Renewed Hope" initiative places significant emphasis on rejuvenating the oil and gas industry. Following his inauguration in May 2023, he has shown strong resolve to overhaul this sector, enhance efficiency, and maximize its economic impact for Nigeria. His dedication is evident through his choice to directly supervise the Ministry of Petroleum himself.
Nevertheless, disturbing reports and accusations of disruptive behavior are overshadowing these initiatives, sparking significant worries that certain individuals within the ministry may prioritize their own ambitions over the nation's interests.
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who serves as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, finds himself embroiled in a scandal. Charges of interference, disobedience, and neglect of cooperative governance are mounting, sparking worries that Lokpobiri’s conduct is deliberately thwarting President Tinubu’s plans for the industry.
Engr Emiko Omola, who serves as the President of the Niger Delta Defenders, has expressed deep worry over Lokpobiri’s alleged misconducts, stating that these issues pose significant risks and might undermine the government’s plans for economic recovery.
“President Tinubu has made it abundantly clear that the oil and gas sector is paramount to our economic recovery,” says Omola. “It is the engine that powers our revenue and export earnings. However, we are seeing actions within the ministry that appear to be at odds with the national priority. The question we must ask is, “Is Lokpobiri working against national interests?”
The dependence of Nigeria on the oil and gas sector is clear. This industry accounts for about 65% of governmental income and over 80% of all exported goods. Despite continuous attempts at diversifying the economy, this sector continues to be an essential focus for the administration as they aim to improve living standards, reduce poverty, and boost economic development. Therefore, enhancing efficiency within this field is both important and crucial.
President Tinubu’s choice to appoint himself as the substantive Minister of Petroleum underscores his commitment to transforming this crucial sector. To achieve this, he has assembled a select group to support him in this pivotal role, emphasizing the necessity for teamwork within this ministerial body. Nonetheless, Senator Lokpobiri’s purported actions suggest a scenario marked by disagreement and intra-ministerial strife.
The charges facing Senator Lokpobiri are severe and varied. They encompass interference with agency activities. Instead of concentrating on his designated duties, Lokpobiri is alleged to have consistently meddled in the workings of crucial bodies within the petroleum ministry.
Various claims of disagreements with cabinet members have surfaced. Rather than promoting teamwork, he allegedly fomented disputes and disharmony amongst his fellow ministers. The President’s decision to appoint a Minister of State for Gas was intended as a strategic step to underscore the significance of gas and promote wider leadership within the ministry. Reports suggest that Lokpobiri has obstructed this effort by declining to work alongside the Minister of State for Gas, Edet Ekperipke Ekpo, and contesting his authority.
The senator stands accused of intimidating and harassing senior government officials at the ministry, such as the Permanent Secretary, along with blatantly ignoring presidential instructions. A particular concern involves allegations that Lokpobiri declined to recognize the Minister of State for Gas as a co-chairperson of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) despite explicit orders from the president. It is claimed that Lokpobiri meddled directly into the workings of the NCDMB by issuing emails directing staff members to disobey managerial choices. Such interventions have reportedly hindered the board’s capacity to operate smoothly and fulfill its responsibilities. Even after multiple notifications post-appointment, Lokpobiri supposedly persisted in not organizing council sessions for the NCDMB, exacerbating operational disruptions.
The circumstances at the NCDMB seem to exemplify the issues affecting the ministry. As the organization responsible for advancing local content within the oil and gas industry, it finds itself entangled in a power dispute that has hindered its advancement.
Despite being the initial gathering of the year and involving the appointment of new board members, the NCDMB’s latest General Council meeting apparently concluded without achieving anything significant.
Amidst the turmoil, new information surfaced indicating that Senator Lokpobiri reportedly tried to physically attack the Minister of State for Gas at a board meeting in Abuja. Sources claim that this happened when Ekpo was addressing the group as co-chairman, a role which Lokpobiri apparently disputed, contesting the President’s authority to appoint him.
“Omola argues that this power struggle is paralyzing the NCDMB and undermining its capacity to fulfill its mission. He notes that the organization plays a vital role in making sure Nigerians reap rewards from the oil and gas sector; nonetheless, it struggles to operate efficiently amid ongoing conflicts and interferences.”
These purported activities have emerged during a crucial period for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The government is making significant strides to tackle urgent matters including fuel costs, accessibility, and petroleum pilferage, with initiatives like the Dangote refinery offering promise for enhanced fuel distribution and cost steadiness. Nonetheless, internal disputes and claimed obstructive conduct pose risks that could jeopardize these endeavors.
Lokpobiri’s behavior and confrontational approach starkly contrast with the nuanced policy implementation and diplomacy needed to sustain public confidence in both the oil and gas industry and the government," cautions Omola. "His conduct has become a burden that Nigeria can no longer afford.
Many people are curious about who will hold Senator Lokpobiri accountable. The accusations of insubordination and disregarding presidential instructions raise concerns about the accountability and efficiency of the petroleum ministry.
Nonetheless, people who know the Minister think that these accusations do not align with his history. Senator Lopkobiri’s professional journey spans both the corporate world and government service. During his time in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), he acted as a Student Advisor at the Badagry Local Government Council in Lagos. Between 1999 and 2003, he was elected to represent Ekeremor Constituency II in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, concurrently serving as the Speaker from 1999 to 2001.
From 2003 to 2007, he worked as the Chief Legal Officer at Lokpobiri & Co (Legal Practitioners and Consultants) in Port Harcourt, located in the Rivers State. Between 2007 and 2015, Senator Lokpobiri was a member of the National Assembly, where he represented Bayelsa West during both the 6th and 7th sessions of the National Assembly.
While serving in the Senate, he led the Committees on Water Resources and Sports and Social Welfare, along with participating in various additional committees such as those focused on Niger Delta issues and Petroleum Matters (Downstream). His term was marked by recognition for authoring multiple significant bills and motions.
In 2015, Senator Lokpobiri was appointed as the Honorable Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, holding this position until the cabinet dissolution in 2019. Then, in August 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, designated him as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil).
Throughout his career, Senator Lokpobiri has been honored with many awards and recognitions, along with writing multiple publications.
Omola feels strongly that urgent measures are needed to tackle the current challenges and maintain the "Renewed Hope" initiative within the oil and gas industry. He asserts, "President Tinubu needs to take swift action to resolve these problems and make sure all members of his team are aligned with this shared objective." According to him, "The prosperity of Nigeria’s oil and gas domain, as well as the overall economic stability, hinges upon this imperative."
President Tinubu's recent restructuring of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) board, featuring appointments from a top-tier group of corporate and industry professionals, has generated high expectations. Nevertheless, concerns persist regarding whether Senator Lokpobiri, serving as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, might hinder this revitalized team. Reports of conflict between the two state ministers responsible for petroleum and gas have caused significant public dismay, potentially undermining the administration's initiatives aimed at transforming the oil and gas sector.
"As the saying goes, 'A stitch in time saves nine,' " Omola states. "President Tinubu needs to take decisive action to prevent personal aspirations from undermining the nation's interests." The future of a rejuvenated oil and gas industry, pivotal to Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” initiative, remains unclear. The key issue at hand is whether President Tinubu will step in to address Lokpobiri’s purported missteps and guide the sector toward stability, productivity, and shared prosperity for all Nigerians.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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