By Chidiebere Ugwu
Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum – Oil (HMSPR-Oil) on Tuesday replied the immediate-past Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, insisting that in his capacity as chairman of the Governing Council, he stands by his statement at The Petroleum Club’s quarterly event in Lagos recently.
Simbi Wabote, had reportedly accused Lokpobiri, of character assassination, treachery and ‘waste’ agenda in a lengthy statement said to have been circulated to newsmen in Lagos.
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The former NCDMB Executive Secretary was said to have described as false narratives, claims made by the Minister that 90% of the Board’s Intervention Fund managed by BOI is not performing, as well as other falsely presented remarks on the activities of the NCDMB, adding that his ordeal with Lokpobiri started when he rejected his request of N30 billion.
But, in a statement by Nneamaka Okafor, the Special Assistant, Media and Communication to the Minister of State Petroleum -Oil, Heineken Lokpobiri, some of his revelations are not new, but were first made during an investigative hearing of the House of representative committee on local content.
The statement reads:”Our position is that he who alleges must prove same. So if Mr Wabote has proof of such conversation he is challenged to provide same.
“Secondly the Minister has no aide called Blackson. All his aides were duly selected in line with extant laws and have documents to that effect.
“The Minister in his capacity as chairman of the Governing Council stands by his statement at The Petroleum Club’s quarterly event in Lagos, and as journalists I welcome you to visit the places mentioned to verify the allegations for yourself.
“Thirdly, the said Atlantic Refinery was supposed to be built in Mr Wabote’s home town, he should show Nigerians where that refinery is.
“Fourthly, the Brass refinery was also paid for, you are welcomed to also visit the site to verify the facts for yourself.
“Investigations are ongoing and the truth will surely come to light and monies belonging to the generality of Nigerians will be recovered for Nigerians.
“Let me add that these revelations are not new, they were first made during an investigative hearing of the House of representative committee on local content. Again the records are there and you are welcome to verify these facts.
“The Minister has never been part of any budgeting process of any parastatal under the Ministry, you are welcomed to visit these agencies to verify for yourself.
“Finally, the Minister’s office is run with a budget superintended by the permanent secretary and so one will wonder, how the Minister will ask another entity to make provisions for the budget of his Office.
“The Minister has an impeccable record from his time as Minister of Agric and will continue to stand for the truth.
“The Minister and Indeed the Chairman of the Governing Council of the NCDMB will not abdicate his responsibility to please anyone.
“He has a responsibility to ensure that, that which belongs to Nigerians is judiciously used for Nigerians
“I have had course to read Mr Wabote’s release and every one can see that he is still nursing the wounds of being replaced even after spending seven years at the Board.
“At best, this is a clear case of when you fight corruption, corruption will fight back”.
