Former Presidential Spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi seemed to posit in his This day Column that President Buhari won't appoint a Minister Of Petroleum but instead would keep the portfolio to himself as Obasanjo did, Adeniyi is normally always accurate and his sources informed so i'm inclined to believe him. So is this the right decision or is it better to appoint a Minister, cc lalasticlala





Whether it is the downstream sector or the upstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry that you want to examine, what you see is nothing but doom and gloom. And the evidence is there right on the streets where petrol is now being sold at scandalous prices and in the number of hours Nigerians who would not patronise black market spend at fuel stations. Very soon, the people will also begin to feel the pinch in their pockets, assuming many are not already doing that. So we can safely conclude that for our country, the “years of plenty” are over without having had a “dreaming Joseph” to prepare us for the “lean years” that now lie ahead.

What complicates the situation is that we are in a period of transition with no certainty as to the direction the next administration will take on critical issues. That perhaps explains why many Nigerians are waiting for the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to make his first critical appointments which could then serve as a window to peep into how he would lead the country. And if there is any appointment that stakeholders in the oil and gas industry are waiting for, it is that of the Petroleum Minister.

I understand Buhari may play the Obasanjo card by retaining the Petroleum Ministry portfolio in which case he would only appoint a minister of state and a special adviser. I do not think that would be the best approach for the sector, especially at such a critical period like this. Buhari should not imagine he is the only honest man in town for a sector that needs a hands-on professional to deal with serious issues. That, however, does not suggest that Buhari should take a cue from President Goodluck Jonathan who has, for the last five years, imposed on the Petroleum Ministry a Sole Administrator!

The challenge within the sector is enormous with several idle depots around the country because of the limited use of the pipelines due to vandalization; a plethora of largely ineffective regulatory bodies (DPR, NOSDRA, PPPRA, PEF etc.) and a regime of over-regulation that sees government controlling supply, margins, transportation rates etc. There is also an absence of a level-playing field; inadequate investment due to the regulatory environment and the waste called local refineries that keep gulping billions of Naira annually in the name of Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) despite performing at sub-optimal level.

Whichever direction Buhari eventually goes, what is not in doubt is that the petroleum sector is one area where he would have to make what would be his first major calls. And one that is already waiting for him is the issue of fuel subsidy.

All factors considered, it is going to be a tough call, especially given recent experiences. I recall that early in 2009, as a presidential spokesman, I decided to publicly intervene on the issue, based on my experience in government and the information I was privileged to have at the time. I wrote a piece titled “Deregulation: If Not Now, When?” and syndicated it for publication on Sunday 8th March 2009, in virtually all the newspapers in Nigeria. Not surprisingly, many people attacked my position which was interpreted to mean that I was no longer “with the masses” even when some government officials did not exactly like what I wrote.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/house-report-and-buhari-s-first-major-call/209849/

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WoW!!! First Time Commenting In This Forum And I Made FTC...
I Dedicate This To ALL Those Trekkers Treking For Buhari... Your Reward Is In Heaven...

Actually it's quite reasonable, considering the plethora of corruption allegations dogging that sector, he's choosing to personally clean up that augean stable

LordVarys:
Actually it's quite reasonable, considering the plethora of corruption allegations dogging that sector, he's choosing to personally clean up that augean stable

Not really, a hands on Petroleum Minister is what is needed,considering the many other tasks the president would be facing on assumption of office, I doubt he'll have the time to face the sector as would be required, a no of qualified names have already been bandied around for the ministry, Tonye Cole, Mofe Boyo, Odein Ajumogobia et al

Is this the Change, so that they will not question him/invite him.

Rubbish! Oyel will choke u baba if u are not careful

What's important is getting the job done.

TheImp:

Not really, a hands on Petroleum Minister is what is needed,considering the many other tasks the president would be facing on assumption of office, I doubt he'll have the time to face the sector as would be required, a no of qualified names have already been bandied around for the ministry, Tonye Cole, Mofe Boyo, Odein Ajumogobia et al

Mofe Boyo is tipped to be the New NNPC GMD, Tonye Cole and Tam David West would also play roles in shaping energy policy, ultimately Buhari would keep the Petroleum portfolio, keep in mind he was petroleum minister in the 70s so he has some idea of what to do

Better but i hope the task wont be too much for him.

The dynamics of those days have changed

LordVarys:

Mofe Boyo is tipped to be the New NNPC GMD, Tonye Cole and Tam David West would also play roles in shaping energy policy, ultimately Buhari would keep the Petroleum portfolio, keep in mind he was petroleum minister in the 70s so he has some idea of what to do

So Buhari, at age 72, is somehow going to oversee the petroleum sector himself and still supervise other ministries and agencies of the government? And you think he won't break down?

This should be moved to jokes section.

Better. It's only Buhari I can trust that portfolio with.

Meiji:
So Buhari, at age 72, is somehow going to oversee the petroleum sector himself and still supervise other ministries and agencies of the government? And you think he won't break down?
This should be moved to jokes section.

^^^ That's to show how serious Buhari means business. Let him do as appropriate and he will take responsibility for his actions. Relax!

That wul have beta

A step in stabilizing the global oil price brewing?


And someone would tell me the just concluded election wasn't not about oil. Rubbish!!

sweet jesus...

is dis d change


Amaechi hv u seen what u caused?


dis man is gradually showcasing his real color


petroleum minister wen he has no cup of oil in his back yard

This doesn't sound real

OK. I will comment later.

Is dat how he intend to stabilize d Global Oil Price?
.
******singing******* #BabaOneChance oooo

ok na

Meiji:
So Buhari, at age 72, is somehow going to oversee the petroleum sector himself and still supervise other ministries and agencies of the government? And you think he won't break down?

This should be moved to jokes section.

Funny.You still have the ancient belief that performance got something to do with age?I think you should be moved to joke section instead.

He should give it to Asari Dokubo...

K

E better like that for the meantime.

If Dat would bring sanity to the system! No problem

stepo707:
Better but i hope the task wont be too much for him.

what is better about it

a president holding one of the highest rated portfolio to him sef

does greed have any other definition apart from that?

d petroleum he's interested in is it from his state

I taught they said he loves Amaechi y not giv it to him

criminals

[quote author=Meiji post=33959016]So Buhari, at age 72, is somehow going to oversee the petroleum sector himself and still supervise other ministries and agencies of the government? And you think he won't break down?




Mind u, 72 is just a number. He won't break down. Don't look @ d container oooo

ok, only if Tinubu go gree

Better!
I smell Change!
Sai Baba!!!

meanwhile,

Meiji:
So Buhari, at age 72, is somehow going to oversee the petroleum sector himself and still supervise other ministries and agencies of the government? And you think he won't break down?
This should be moved to jokes section.

.


My dear is not by age, it's by your mental ability gej was in his 50s and can't do this things because he has no metal ability (clueless )to do dat

anyhow, we want a nation free of corruption and poverty.