Petroleum Minister in charge of oil, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the progress of the Niger Delta region.
The minister noted that the President has taken deliberate steps to ensure the completion of all ongoing projects in the region.
According to a statement by Lokpobiri’s media aide, Nneamaka Okafor, the minister stated this while hosting members of the South South Caucus of the House of Representatives on Monday.
According to the statement, the lawmakers visited to express solidarity with the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to transform the oil sector and advance development in the region.
The Minister said, “President Tinubu is deeply committed to addressing the concerns of the Niger Delta people.
“His administration is focused on ensuring peace, development, and the timely delivery of vital infrastructure across our communities.”
Lokpobiri also highlighted key Federal Government initiatives, particularly the Host Community Development Trust Funds, established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to benefit host communities.
“While the Host Community Funds were designed to develop our oil-producing communities, it is unfortunate that many have yet to fully access these benefits, not because the funds are not available but because of infighting amongst some communities.”
He called on the lawmakers to ensure a resolution amongst the communities so that their Trust Fund is properly set up and assessed by them.
The minister urged community leaders and stakeholders to avoid actions that could undermine the efforts of government, calling for widespread support for President Tinubu’s agenda.
“We must discourage any form of sabotage and instead, garner collective support for the President, who has demonstrated remarkable dedication to both the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large,” he emphasized.
The oil minister advised the lawmakers to route some of their requests through proper legislative channels to enable prompt presidential action once they become law.
“By ensuring that certain requests are formalized through the National Assembly, the relevant authorities will be compelled by law to act accordingly,” he noted.
He further commended the lawmakers for their unity and commitment to finding solutions for the region’s challenges, adding that their collaborative approach aligns with President Tinubu’s vision of fostering peace and sustainable progress in the Niger Delta.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the South South Caucus, Rt. Hon. Fred Agbedi, Member representing Ekeremor/Sagbama Federal Constituency, commended the minister for his leadership and expressed the readiness of he caucus to collaborate with the Federal Government in addressing the region’s developmental challenges.
Agbedi stated, “We are here to show solidarity with the Federal Government’s efforts and to explore ways we can collectively move the Niger Delta forward.”
“The caucus is committed to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the aspirations of our people are met.”
