August 22, (THEWILL) – Former national spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, has congratulated the newly appointed Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, describing his appointment as commendable and a step in the right direction.
Ekerefe said that even though Lokpobiri’s hands would be tied and he must follow the policy direction of his boss, President Bola Tinubu, his decision at the Petroleum (Oil) Ministry must be guided by the general well-being of the people and the country.
He noted that though he may not have the latitude to formulate far-reaching policies, see to their implementation and regulate the petroleum industry without reverting to President Tinubu for final approval as the substantive Minister, however, his portfolio is sensitive, as he will have the privilege to interface with the President regularly to proffer practicable solutions that will address the current economic situation in the country occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.
Ekerefe, who was a contending presidential candidate in the recently conducted Ijaw Youth Council National Elections, called on Sen. Lokpobiri to, as a matter of urgency, intensify efforts for the country’s moribund refineries to be fixed, sustain the fight against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region and ensure that Niger Deltans are giving equal opportunity to own oil blocks and participate actively in the oil industry.
Ekerefe noted that he does not doubt that Sen. Lokpobiri will deliver due to his tactfulness and long experience in public service and therefore, appeal to industry players and stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to rally behind him to succeed in his new office.
He described Sen. Lokpobiri as a leader, who has been favoured by God looking at all the previous sensitive political positions he has occupied, hoping that as a Minister for the second time, with better experience and knowledge of national politics, he will surpass his previous achievements in the respective offices he has occupied.
Ekerefe thanked President Tinubu for appointing a principled politician from the Ijaw extraction into his cabinet and therefore, expressed confidence that Sen. Lokpobiri will deliver.
