President Tinubu domiciles office of Ministers of State (Crude Oil), (Natural Gas) in Ministry of Petroleum Resources

… redeploys Momoh to Min. Niger Delta

Oredola Adeola

President Bola Tinubu has specifically domiciled the office of Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State (Crude Oil) Petroleum Resources, and  Ekperipe Ekpo, Minister of State (Natural Gas) Petroleum Resources in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

This was disclosed in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media & Publicity, and obtained by EnergyDay on Sunday.

Based on this latest development, the two junior Ministers are expected to carry out their various functions within the Ministry of Petroleum Resources without the need to establish independent offices.

EnergyDay gathered President Tinubu also approved the redeployment of Engr. Abubakar Momoh from the Federal Ministry of Youth to the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

On his part, Lokpobiri, who was a former Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, received an LL.B (Hons) in 1994 from Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, and holds a Doctorate degree Ph.D from Leeds Beckett University, UK in 2015.

As the Hon. Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources, Lokpobiri is expected to play a key role in the development of Nigeria’s oil industry. He will be responsible for overseeing the exploration, production, and distribution of oil resources.

This involved working closely with oil companies, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and promoting the growth and development of the oil industry.

Hon. Ekpo, Hon. Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources on the other hand is expected to bring his expertise and strong background in the oil and gas industry to bear in his new role.

The creation of a special Ministerial office for gas resources was seen as a sign of Tinubu’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s gas potential, which has long been neglected in favour of crude oil.

The Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources, will develop policies and programs aimed at increasing the production and utilization of Nigeria’s gas resources, driving the growth and development of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

He will also be overseeing the extraction, processing, and distribution of natural gas resources. with the specific aim of harnessing the potential of the gas industry and promoting its use as a cleaner and more sustainable energy source.

EnergyDay further gathered that both Lokpobiri(Oil) and Ekpo(Gas), are expected to be reported directly to President Tinubu who may be heading the Ministry of Petroleum Resources just like his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Tinubu may be planning to hold the office of the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources, supervising the two Ministers of State Oil and Gas Resources, like his predecessors, as the silence in the Presidency about the designation and appointment of a substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources points to that.

They will work closely with the President to ensure that Nigeria’s oil and gas resources are managed effectively and efficiently, especially in the area of increasing output level, revenue generation, and addressing Nigeria’s energy needs including.

They will work together with industry stakeholders, international partners, and other government agencies to ensure the efficient and responsible management of the country’s petroleum resources.

Engr. Momoh now redeployed from the Federal Ministry of Youth to the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development by President Bola Tinubu, with the expectation that he would bring fresh ideas and energy to the development of the Niger Delta region.

Prior to his appointment, Momoh served as a teacher at Ekperi Grammar School before pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Engr. Momoh, Minister of Niger Delta region, will be expected to restructure the new Ministry to address governance challenges, improve accountability, and ensure effective implementation of development projects in the Niger Delta region.

His focus will be to contribute to the overall development and well-being of the people of oil-producing states Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Cross River, Edo, Bayelsa, Abia, Ondo, Imo, Anambra, and Lagos.

The ministry’s responsibilities include the development of infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and other infrastructure aimed at improving the overall development and well-being of the people in the region.