- The Minister of state for Petroluem ( Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has challenged the Ex- executive secretary of the Nigeria Content Development Board ( NCDMB) to proof the allegations he made against him.
In reply to allegations made against him( Wabote) by Lokpobiri at the Petroleum Club’s quaterly event in Lagos, Wabote had also alleged that his problem with the minister stated when he refused Lokpobiri’s demand for 30 billion naira for the office of chairman of the NCDMB board .
Replying to Wabote’s allegations in a statement by Nneamaka Okafor,
Special Adviser, Media and Communication to the minister ,said the minister in his capacity as the chairman of the governing Council stands by his statement at the Petroleum Club’s quaterly event in Lagos.
The media aid also denied that the minister has no aide called Blackson.
His words:
Our position is that he who alledges 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 quaterly event in Lagos, and as journalists I welcome you to visit the places mentioned to verify the allegations for yourself.
“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.
“Let me add that these revelations are not new, they were first made during an investigative hearing of the House of representative committee on local content. Again the records are there and you are welcome to verify these facts.
While denying that
the Minister has never been part of any budgeting process of any parastatal under the Ministry, the media aide also challenged journalists to visit the agencies listed by the minister to verify for yourself.
” The Minister’s office is run with a budget superintended by the permanent secretary and so one will wonder, how the Minister will ask another entity to make provisions for the budget of his Office.
“The Minister has an impeccable record from his time as Minister of Agric and will continue to stand for the truth.
“The Minister and Indeed the Chairman of the Governing Council of the NCDMB will not abdicate his responsibility to please anyone.
He said the minister has a responsibility to ensure that, that which belongs to Nigerians is judiciously used for Nigerians, stressing that he had “course to read Mr Wabote’s release and every one can see that he is still nursing the wounds of being replaced even after spending seven years at the Board.
“At best, this is a clear case of when you fight corruption, corruption will fight back” added Okafor.
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