By Obinna Ezeobi, Abuja
Published: Monday, 30 Jul 2007

Speaking after a meeting with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Alhaji Sadiq Mahmud and other key officials, the ministers said that they had different backgrounds which they admitted, were not related to energy.

They said they would, therefore, rely on the staff and experts in the ministry and its parastatals to achieve results.

Some industry analysts had earlier expressed worry over the appointments, wondering why Yar’Adua did not appoint energy technocrats to man the sector, considering its importance and the ailing state of the facilities in sector.

The ministers are, Mrs. Fatima Balaraba Ibrahim (Power); Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia (Petroleum); and Emmanuel Olatunde Odusina (Gas).

But despite their handicap, the ministers promised to pursue the Federal Government’s policy thrust on energy and bring about the most desired results as soon as possible.

They added that a retreat with Yar’Adua at the weekend, would reveal the minds and direction of government on how the results would be achieved.

According to the Minister of State for Power, Ibrahim, “The importance of the energy ministry cannot be overemphasised. Nigerians are very impatient people who are interested in seeing results within a short time.

“The sector has been erratic but we must deliver. Power is strategic without which nothing functions in this country and is the vehicle for economic development. It is not going to be easy but we must try to fix it.”

On his part, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ajumogobia, said, “We are all new to this business but we are all bringing fresh perspectives to the sector. What we need is a road map on the way forward.”

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Gas, Odusina said the team must make things happen.

According to him, “The Yar’Adua’s administration has a seven-point agenda. This sector contributes 95 per cent to the revenue of the nation. In order to accelerate the execution of these policies, we are going to ensure that things are done as soon as possible.”

In his presentation to the ministers, Mahmud said the portfolios in the energy sector were extensive and that this was the reason behind the appointment of three ministers with the President himself as the substantive minister.

He said, “In the power sector, we are looking at generating 25,000 megawatts but we are still hovering between 3,000MW.

“In petroleum, even though oil was discovered in 1958, we are yet to get to our desired level and the challenges are daunting. In gas, our gas resource is bigger than the rest of the world with Nigeria being next to Venezuela. It is of utmost importance that we develop our resources.”