Reuben Abati, co-host of *The Morning Show* on ARISE Television, criticized Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, for his remarks on the current fuel situation in Nigeria.
Despite public frustration over issues in the petroleum industry, Lokpobiri had confidently stated on Tuesday in Abuja that Nigeria expects $50 billion in investments in the oil sector by December.
He claimed that addressing investors’ concerns and efforts to increase oil production to 2.7 million barrels per day positioned Nigeria as a powerhouse in African energy.
Lokpobiri further credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies for transforming the oil sector and attracting both local and foreign investment.
Read Also: Buhari’s Minister Calls For Protest, Gives Strong Reason
Responding to these comments during a live broadcast, Abati, a former presidential spokesman, expressed disbelief and accused the minister of making unfounded claims.
He suggested that Lokpobiri should refrain from speaking if he has nothing substantial to contribute.
“He does not know what he is talking about. He constantly puts his foot in his mouth. Let him just stay in his allegiance to Nyesom Wike where he can speak with great certainty.
“The other time, he was saying the refineries will produce so, so, so ….no refinery is producing anything ..
“Now he is saying $50 billion worth of investment by December…because Tinubu is a miracle worker. December is just two months away. If the Minister has nothing to say, he should keep quiet’’, Abati said.
Two weeks ago, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, acknowledged that his appointment to President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet was influenced by his counterpart in the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Lokpobiri made this statement during an event organized by the Ijaw Peoples Congress in honor of Wike in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.
He said, “It is important to tell you, my brothers and sisters, that me that is standing before you today as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources was also made possible by Nyesom Wike. You also heard the account of the MD of the NDDC, who said that the minister of the FCT played a direct role in his appointment.
“My own case could have been a more direct role. Some of you may not know. It all started in Wike’s house in Port Harcourt, and it all concluded in his house in Abuja. My second journey of becoming a minister started at the minister’s house in Port Harcourt, and it concluded in his house in Abuja. It is important for me to complete this history.
“Because when I was looking at the welcome address, our names were not included among those who have benefitted from his benevolence. I thought that my name, Heineken Lokpobiri, would have been included amongst those that he has helped. But since my name is not included, I have to complete it. I want you, Ijaw people, to know that we have a brother and a friend.”
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2Z
