Anti-reform forces behind calls for my sacking – Alison-Madueke

November 9, 2012 by Olalekan Adetayo 11 Comments

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke
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Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Thursday, said those against President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda, especially as it concerns the oil and gas sector, were behind the calls for her sacking.

Vowing not to yield to their opposition, the minister said she would not allow the return of cartels to the sector.

Some individuals and groups have been calling for her sacking from the Federal Executive Council.

The tempo of the calls increased two few weeks ago when the report of the Mallam Nuhu Ribadu-led Special Taskforce on Revenue believed to have indicted her and others was leaked.

However, the minister told journalists in Abuja that those seeking her sacking were a few people who wanted the “business as usual” tradition to return to the sector.

According to her, those describing her as corrupt and inefficient are people who are afraid of Jonathan’s reform agenda in the sector.

Alison-Madueke promised that she would never bow to the pressure of allowing the return of the age-long cartel in the country’s oil and gas sector.

She said, “Those fighting the government in the media are doing so because we have been able to frustrate their efforts in strangulating the economy through their devilish black market and questionable profiteering at the expense of the Nigeria people.

“I would not want to join issues with those criticising me because they are crying foul that through us, Mr. President has broken the old order where things were done without coordination.

“What is hurting them is that we have put policies in place where they can no longer cheat the government and cause untold hardship for millions of Nigerians.”

The minister said stakeholders in the oil and gas sector that had the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians at heart needed not be afraid of her leadership style, except those that have skeleton in their wardrobe and are scared of change and reforms.

Alison-Madueke said the cordial relationship between her and officials of the Ministry comprising the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Petroleum Pricing and Marketing Company, Directorate of Petroleum Resources and other parastatals had brought about high-level successes in the sector.

She solicited the cooperation of Nigerians, oil companies and other investors in order to achieve the President’s objectives for the sector.

SOURCE:  The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper 9 November 2102.