In the quest for the State to play active role in the Solid Minerals and Hydrocarbon exploration and Exploitation, two companies, Incorporated Oil and Gas and Solid Minerals companies were floated in 2021 and 2023.
Until the recent appointment, there were no CEO and Board Chairman for the companies.
No doubt, the appointment of Prof. Charles Ofoegbu is apt and proper for the Solid Minerals sector.
However, it would have been proper to have appointed all the Executives for the companies in one fell swoop.
That said, it’s even more confounding that same Prof. Charles Ofoegbu was also appointed as the chairman of the Oil and Gas company. This is rather an ambush for whoever is the Commissioner for the two companies that are supervised by same Ministry.
Feelers from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources suggest a cold war orchestrated by scheming from the Office of the SSG to foist an old ally and colleague, Prof Charles Ofoegbu who is well above 70 years and have seen his active years in service.
There are also grievances from the oil producing areas of Ogbaru (Ogwuikpele and Ogwuaniocha) who feel that their own should be appointed in the interest of local content and inclusivity.
Concerned stakeholders are worried that such perceived injustice and lack of inclusion may culminate in mistrust and agitations thereby, triggering the malcontents of Niger Delta ugly experience of violence and militancy.
The oil producing areas of Anambra state are already experiencing such negativities.
There’s therefore, need to draw attention to this imminent danger before it’s too late.
