By Adewale Sanyaolu
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, has denied allegations by the immediate past Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote, that he demanded the agency’s budget to be inflated by N30 billion .
The Minister in a statement by his media aide, Nneamaka Okafor, explained that Lokbobiri has never been part of any budgeting process of any parastatal under the Ministry, saying the media is welcomed to visit these agencies to verify the claims.
The minister added that his office is run with a budget supervised by the permanent secretary and so surprised that the Minister will ask another entity to make provisions for the budget of his office.
Reacting further to the allegation by Wabote, the Minister said; ‘’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
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,’’.