By Miriam Humbe
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri has expressed the Federal Government’s pledge to resolve the ownership dispute around the Atala Oil Field belonging to Bayelsa State and other oil field disputes in the country.
Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa (Mrs.), the
Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry revealed this in a statement signed on Friday.
Sen. Lokpobiri gave the pledge during a courtesy visit by the delegation from Bayelsa State Government led by the State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri to his office in Abuja.
The Minister expressed the Federal Government’s willingness to collaborate with State Governors for the advancement of the nation’s energy sector.
On Atala Oil Field and others that were taken away from their owners, the Minister assured prompt attention to the matter, “We will look into the issue promptly and ensure fairness and equity in addressing State concerns,” he stated.
He noted that the Federal Government was committed to partnering with the state governments to see how a conducive environment is put in place for investors to flow in.
Lokpobiri congratulated Governor Diri on his re-election for the second term as the Bayelsa State Governor and assured of the Federal Government’s support for him to succeed for the benefit of the good people of Bayelsa State and the country at large.
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, appealed for the Ministry’s intervention in restoring the Atala oil field belonging to Bayelsa State.
The Governor described the Minister as ‘a round peg in a round hole’, and commended him for his exceptional performance in transforming Nigeria’s energy sector and urged him to continue the good work.
It would be recalled that there has been controversy regarding the ownership and operation of Atala oil field.
The Bayelsa State Government through Bayelsa Oil company Limited was initially a partner in the field along with other companies.
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