Bayelsa Oilfield
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, recently reassured the Bayelsa State Government of the potential return of the revoked licence for OML 46, also known as Atala Oilfield.
This assurance came during Lokpobiri’s visit to Governor Douye Diri at the Government House in Yenagoa.
In a statement from the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Lokpobiri, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed regret over the controversial revocation of the oilfield’s licence during a period when another Bayelsa indigene, Timipre Sylva, served as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
Lokpobiri, emphasizing the oilfield as a shared asset of the state, vowed to exert all efforts to regain control of the resource. His visit aimed to forge collaboration with the state government to address pertinent issues, ensuring Bayelsa reaps the benefits of democracy.
Congratulating Governor Diri on his re-election, Lokpobiri sought the government’s support in combatting pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, attributing these activities to reduced revenue from the Federation Account, leading to zero derivation for several months in 2023.
Expressing concern over environmental degradation caused by illegal bunkering, Lokpobiri highlighted the need to protect the state’s resources, urging collective action to halt the pollution and associated revenue losses.
Governor Diri lauded Lokpobiri’s appointment, acknowledging President Bola Tinubu for appointing a representative from Bayelsa as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. He affirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborate with the Federal Government in curbing oil theft and protecting the ecosystem.
Diri emphasized the importance of unity among Niger Delta governors to tackle these challenges effectively. He also highlighted the disparity in gas supply and tax payments, pointing out that Bayelsa’s contributions weren’t reflected in its financial status due to erroneous tax distribution.
Reiterating his stance on fiscal federalism and resource control, Diri emphasized that the true financial viability of states could only be accurately assessed under such a system.
The promising commitment from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, backed by collaborative efforts between the federal and state governments, hints at a potential resolution for Bayelsa’s oilfield woes, promising hope for the region’s economic and environmental future.
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