Jonathan sets up white paper committees on Ribadu’s report, others

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday constituted three committees to prepare draft white papers on reports of special task forces on petroleum, refineries and governance.

This is in line with his earlier vow to fully implement the Nuhu Ribadu’s Special Petroleum Task Force committee’s report.

The committees, according to a statement by Reuben Abati, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, are to prepare the draft white paper for consideration by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) within two weeks.

The statement noted the action is in furtherance of the president’s “declared commitment to doing all within his powers to ensure greater accountability, probity and transparency in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry”.

The White Paper Committee on the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force report, which was recently submitted by Nuhu Ribadu, will be chaired by the Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu with the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, Minister of State, FCT, Jumoke Akinjide and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II, Nurudeen Mohammed as members.

The White Paper Committee on the report of the Governance and Controls Special Task Force will be chaired by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ama Pepple. Other members of the committee are Minister of State, Defence, Olusola Obada, Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, and Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Bukar Tijani.

The White Paper Committee on the report of the National Refineries Special Task Force has Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mohammed Sada as chairman, and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of State for Health, Muhammad Pate and Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyeson Wike as members.

Abati stated that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will provide secretariat for the committees.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan has declared that removal of fuel subsidy remains the only panacea to ending the lingering fuel crisis. He said it will create a level playing field and attract investors to invest in refineries in the country.