The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has raised objections over the appointment of a Minister of State for Petroleum Resources hailing from the oil-rich Niger Delta region. In a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily breakfast program, Yabagi Sani, the National Chairman of IPAC, expressed his dissatisfaction with the appointment, labeling it as a ‘misguided indication.’

Sani expressed his concern that concentrating such an important appointment within a specific geographical area could foster a perception of entitlement among the Niger Delta populace. He further emphasized that such an approach could potentially undermine the efficiency and effectiveness of the ministry.

Sani questioned the rationale behind linking ministerial appointments exclusively to regional origins, suggesting that the petroleum sector ought to be managed based on professional competence and national interest. He made a noteworthy comparison by proposing that if there was a desire to make a sensational choice for a key ministry, the Federal Capital Territory could be assigned to a representative from the North Central region.

The chairman highlighted the critical significance of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and underscored that should the president directly oversee it, accountability and effectiveness in combating issues like crude oil theft might be compromised. He argued that the president, already burdened with a myriad of responsibilities, might not be able to yield the desired outcomes for the nation’s oil and gas sector.

Sani concluded by stressing the urgency of eliminating corruption from the sector and expressed his skepticism about achieving this if the president took on the ministry’s oversight personally. He indicated that for the industry to prosper, a more thorough and impartial approach to leadership selection was needed.

Source: Punch