Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the state minister for petroleum resources, emphasized Thursday that the previous NCDCB (Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board) leadership
The remarks were delivered by him earlier at the quarterly gathering of The Petroleum Club in Lagos.
However, the minister’s staff was accused by the former NCDMB Executive Secretary, Simbi Wabote, of pressuring him for a N30 billion increase in NCDMB funding.
But in a statement provided by his media assistant, Nneamaka Okafor, the minister denied the allegations that his office had made such a request, calling them outright fabrications.
He pushed the Wabote to back up the purported request with documentation.
“Our stance is that he who alleges must prove same,” he stated. Therefore, Mr. Wabote is challenged to produce the same evidence if he has any.
“The minister stands by his remarks made at The Petroleum Club’s quarterly function in Lagos while serving as the governing council chairman.
“The location of the aforementioned refinery ought to be disclosed to Nigerians; it was intended to be constructed in Mr. Wabote’s hometown.”
The statement said that investigations were under progress, that the truth will undoubtedly surface, and that money that belonged to most Nigerians would be retrieved.
The minister’s claim was refuted by former NCDMB Executive Secretary Engr. Simbi Wabote, who called it irresponsible.
Wabote challenged the minister to visit the locations of the projects the agency had funded in, accusing him of engaging in political posturing.
