President Buhari while addressing some select reporters in
New York on Tuesday, after addressing a Global Leaders’
Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism, he will
remain the Minister of Petroleum.
He said the step is being taken as part of efforts to sanitise
Nigeria’s oil industry which is said to be plagued by
corruption, massive fraud, and crude oil theft.
He said:
“I will remain Minister of Petroleum.
“I will appoint a minister of State for Petroleum”.
Buhari restated his determination to sanitise Nigeria’s oil
industry and free it from corruption and create more
transparency.
He said that his first step in sanitizing the petroleum
sector has already begun with the appointment of a new
management for the NNPC and said that the prosecution of
those who misappropriated NNPC’s funds is already in the
works.
Buhari, who took office at the end of May promising to fight
corruption, has made it clear he wants to overhaul the oil
sector in Africa’s biggest economy, which provides the
government with about 70% of its revenue.