PETROLEUM MINISTER CONDEMNS LEAKED MEMO, SAYS IT’S PROCEDURAL CORRESPONDENCE FOR EFFICIENCY

CBD, Abuja, Nigeria – Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu has flayed the publication of his memo to President Muhammadu Buhari complaining of misunderstanding between him and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Resources, Dr. Maikanti Baru and consequent frustration in the reformatory process.

But in a statement the Director of Press, Mr. Idong Alabi said the communication under reference is a normal procedural correspondence by the Minister to the President relating to developments in parastatals under his supervision.

“It is most distressing to the ministry of petroleum resources that a confidential communication to the President on the performance of one of its parastatals can be made public”, he complained.

He said the focus of the communication was on improving efficiency and deepening transparency in the oil and gas sector for continued investor confidence.

“It is noteworthy that the President has been fully supportive of the efforts of the Ministry to entrench good governance and accountability in the oil and gas sector”, he said, adding that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources remains focused on achieving measurable progress in the implementation of the ongoing oil sector reforms in line with the mandate of the President.

See full statement below.

The attention of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has been drawn to a publication on a memo emanating from the HMSPR to the President.

Please note the following:

The communication under reference is a normal procedural correspondence by the Minister to the President relating to developments in parastatals under his supervision.

It is most distressing to the ministry of petroleum resources that a confidential communication to the President on the performance of one of its parastatals can be made public.

The focus of the communication was on improving efficiency and deepening transparency in the oil and gas sector for continued investor confidence.

It is noteworthy that the President has been fully supportive of the efforts of the Ministry to entrench good governance and accountability in the oil and gas sector.

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources remains focused on achieving measurable progress in the implementation of the ongoing oil sector reforms in line with the mandate of the President.

Thank you.

Signed

Idang Alibi
Director of Press
Ministry of Petroleum Resources
October 3, 2017
Abuja