Lokpobiri

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has emphasised Nigeria’s sovereign rights over the contentious OML 245 oil block.

Lokpobiri’s remarks followed a letter by the family of late former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, demanding that Lokpobiri should retract his claims of resolving the OML 245 dispute, stating that the matter is still before the courts.

The minister however responded, stating that “every oil block belongs to the federal government of Nigeria” and government will “do everything that is legal to ensure that Nigerians benefit from the availability of these oil blocks in this country.”

Lokpobiri, who stated this at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, explained that he would not grant any oil licence to his family members even if he was in the position of authority.

“If I were a member of the Abacha family, I wouldn’t even raise my head. As Heineken Lokpobiri, if I have the authority, I can’t give any Lokpobiri oil licence. That in itself is criminal,” he said.

He emphasised that Nigeria has laws, just like any other country, and that the federal government will resolve the long-standing OML 245 dispute in the nation’s “overriding national strategic interest.”

Lokpobiri further restated that “the federal government will do everything that is legal to ensure that Nigerians benefit from the availability of these oil blocks in this country.”

He added that the long-standing issues surrounding OML 245 will be resolved, noting that the matter has lingered for over 30 years.

“I can assure you that we are resolving all the issues about OML 245. And we’ll resolve them in our overriding national strategic interest. This matter has lingered on for the past 30 years,” Lokpobiri said.

The minister’s position underscores the federal government’s determination to protect the country’s oil assets and ensure they are utilised for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“I don’t want to join issues with the Abacha family, you know, for OML 245. But as far as I know, every oil block belongs to the federal government of Nigeria. We’ll give licences to different people to operate.

“And so at will, the federal government can invoke whatever relevant laws, and do whatever that the law allows it to do.

“I have no issues to join with anybody tweeting that they are not in support or whatever,” Lokpobiri said.

Recall that Mohammed, the son of a former head of state, Gen Sani Abacha had said issues regarding OPL 245 are yet to be resolved.

The minister had in February said President Bola Tinubu directed that all disputes surrounding OPL 245 deal should be amicably resolved.

However, while speaking at the annual NOG Energy Week in Abuja on July 3, the minister said all issues had been settled.

In response to the statement, in a letter dated July 4 and addressed to Lokpobiri, Mohammed Abacha, through his lawyer, Reuben Atabo, said contrary to the minister’s claim, no resolution has been reached.

The younger Abacha is laying claim to the ownership of Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd, the company originally awarded the oil prospecting licence (OPL) in 1998 by his father, late Sani Abacha.

In 2011, Shell and Eni paid $1.1 billion to acquire OPL 245 after Malabu relinquished its entire interest in the oil block.

This followed a settlement brokered by the Nigerian government to end a 10-year legal dispute on the acreage, which is considered to be one of the richest in Africa.

The oil companies also paid a signature bonus of $210 million to the Nigerian government.

However, activists launched an international campaign, alleging that the OPL 245 deal was fraudulent and that the proceeds were used to bribe government officials.

Abacha also claims that Malabu was not represented in the 2011 resolution agreements between the federal government, Shell Nigeria Ultra-Deep and Nigerian Agip Exploration.