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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 Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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