The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to meet the September, 2024, deadline for the commencement of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB).
Lokpobiri, during a visit by the Secretary-General of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), Dr Omar Ibrahim, said the government was working hard to fulfil its part in the establishment of the bank by September.
He said, “We want to emphatically state that Nigeria is committed to meeting her obligations as a host country. We are working day and night to ensure that we meet the September deadline.”
He applauded the APPO boss for his immense contribution to the organisation, adding that since his assumption as secretary general, APPO had been rebranded and grown exponentially to its current level.
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He further said, “And we as Nigerians are very proud of you, not just as our ambassador, but as an ambassador of Africa.”
Earlier Ibrahim congratulated the country, especially the ministry, for winning the AEB hosting right, and efforts being made towards the establishment of the bank.
Ibrahim said, “There are issues: one is the host country agreement, second is the headquarters preparing it and the third is to make up the difference between what Nigeria pledged and what Nigeria has paid so far.
“Everybody is looking up to Nigeria. Ministers of other countries are asking me, when are you moving, when are we starting.”