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Oil, Gas Reports: Minister Gives Deadline On Implementation
Country Director, British Council, David Higgs (left) conferring with Ijeoma Argubo from British Council during the inauguration of the post graduate scholarship scheme sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited at Le Meridien Ogeyi Place, G.R.A. Port Harcourt, last Tuesday. Photo: Egberi Sampson
The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, says the Federal Government will implement the White Paper on the reports of the task forces set up on the petroleum industry.
The minister gave the assurance in Abuja last Friday during the presentation of the reports of three task forces to President Goodluck Jonathan.
She said that the implementation of the reports would commence as soon as the President approved it.
The task forces are the Special Task Force on Corporate Governance and Controls in NNPC and other parastatal agencies of the petroleum ministry, the Special Task Force on National Refineries and the Special Task Force on Petroleum Revenue.
“Once considered and approved by Mr President and the Federal Executive Council, it is my determination to ensure the full implementation of the White Paper on the reports of these task forces,
She stressed that the ministry had already set up a unit to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the reports.
Alison-Madueke said that the task forces were set up to bring sanity, efficiency and transparency to the oil and gas industry, in the lead-up to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
The minister stressed that she did not interfere with the assignment of the task forces.
She expressed optimism that recommendations in the report would signal a new beginning for the oil and gas sector.
However, Alison-Madueke called on the National Assembly to speedily pass the PIB so as to give legislative backing to the drive to transform the oil and gas sector.
“We urge the National Assembly to pass the new PIB into law as quickly as possible so as to give the necessary legislative backing to our transformation efforts in the oil and gas industry,’’ she said.
She pledged that the government would continue with the reform of the oil and gas industry in order to reduce waste, inefficiency and corruption.
Alison-Madueke said that the measure would go a long way to facilitate the transition of NNPC and its parastatal agencies to a post-PIB milieu.
Mr Dotun Sulaiman, chaired the Task Force on Corporate Governance and Controls, while Malam Nuhu Ribadu and Mr Kalu Idika Kalu headed the task forces on Petroleum Revenue and National Refineries respectively.
The task forces were inaugurated in February by Alison-Madueke, with a view to transforming the country’s oil and gas sector.
The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee
highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.
“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.
Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.
The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.
