Leadership (Abuja)
Betrand Nwankwo
16 November 2008
Abuja — Ahead of the appointment of ministers into the vacant ministries, Nigerians particularly stakeholders in the oil and gas industry have asked President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to continue to superintend the ministry of petroleum resources with a minister of state assisting.
Those who spoke to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY are apprehensive that the stability that pervaded the industry since President Yar'Adua took over the ministry of Energy (Petroleum and Gas) may be a thing of the past if a substantive minister is appointed.
They claimed that since Yar'Adua took over the affairs of the ministry, there is stability, accountability and reduction in corruption rate in the system because of the President's zero tolerance to corruption.
They have requested the President to continue to oversee the affairs of the new ministry of petroleum resources, saying appointment of a substantive minister is capable of stalling the ongoing reforms in the sector.
The fears were heightened as reports have it that the State Security Service (SSS) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) have cleared the ministerial nominees for appointment; including the former Petroleum Resources Minister, Dr Rilwanu Lukman who is touted to head the newly created petroleum ministry.
LEADERSHIP SUNDAY investigations revealed that many Nigerians, particularly the stakeholders in the industry would prefer the present arrangement where the president superintends, with a minister of state assisting.
A member of Natural Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that by supervising the ministry, it would enable the president implement some of the new programmes initiated by the present administration in the sector.
He argued that the appointment of a substantive minister would increase the bureaucracy associated with ministers and slow down the paces with which thing are being done.
"You know the gas to liquid projects and the OGIC being carried out by the present administration. We are worried that all these may not see the light of the day if the president does not see to it himself. We are worried because we are losing workers", the source said.
The source who acknowledged the contributions of the elder statesman and former minister of petroleum resources, Dr Rilwanu Lukman, however advised the Federal Government to retain him as honorary adviser on petroleum resources instead of bringing him back to the ministry he left many years ago.
He stated that the reforms in the sector can only be implemented if Yar'Adua continues to superintend the affairs of the petroleum ministry.
The Federal Government in September announced the creation of the ministries of power and petroleum resources from the present ministry of energy, but the stakeholders want the president to continue to oversea the affairs of the petroleum resources ministry.
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