Reuben Abati, co-host of The Morning Show, an ARISE Television breakfast programme, has slammed the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, over his comments on the fuel situation in the country.
Against the public perception regarding the troubling situation in the petroleum industry, Lokpobiri on Tuesday in Abuja had boasted that Nigeria is expecting a $50bn investment in the oil sector before December.
According to him, with foreign/local investors’ concerns being addressed, coupled with the “audacious’’ efforts to boost oil production to about 2.7 barrels per day, Nigeria remains a titan of African energy.
Toward this end, the country is expecting $50 billion worth of investments in the sector before the end of the year.
The petroleum minister said the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has in the last year, revolutionised the oil sector, making it very attractive to both local and foreign investors.
Reacting to Lokpobiri’s comment on live television, Abati, a former Presidential spokesman, expressed disbelief.
He accused the Minister of putting his foot in his mouth, advising him to shut his mouth if he did not have anything meaningful to say.
“He does not know what he is talking about. He constantly puts his foot in his mouth. Let him just stay in his allegiance to Nyesom Wike where he can speak with great certainty.
“The other time, he was saying the refineries will produce so, so, so ….no refinery is producing anything ..
“Now he is saying $50 billion worth of investment by December…because Tinubu is a miracle worker. December is just two months away. If the Minister has nothing to say, he should keep quiet’’, Abati said.
Two weeks ago, Lokpobiri had said his counterpart in the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is responsible for his appointment in Tinubu’s cabinet.
He said this at an event organised in honour of Wike by the Ijaw Peoples Congress in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital.
He said, “It is important to tell you, my brothers and sisters, that me that is standing before you today as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources was also made possible by Nyesom Wike. You also heard the account of the MD of the NDDC, who said that the minister of the FCT played a direct role in his appointment.
“My own case could have been a more direct role. Some of you may not know. It all started in Wike’s house in Port Harcourt, and it all concluded in his house in Abuja. My second journey of becoming a minister started at the minister’s house in Port Harcourt, and it concluded in his house in Abuja. It is important for me to complete this history.
“Because when I was looking at the welcome address, our names were not included among those who have benefitted from his benevolence. I thought that my name, Heineken Lokpobiri, would have been included amongst those that he has helped. But since my name is not included, I have to complete it. I want you, Ijaw people, to know that we have a brother and a friend.”
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