By Sylvanus Viashima
JALINGO – The coalition of Private Energy Entrepreneurs has expressed dissatisfaction with the state of affairs under in the sector under the present Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Mr. Ekoerikoe Ekpo.
In a statement signed by Greg Akume, the President, Coalition of Private Energy Entrepreneurs on Saturday, the coalition identifies regulatory inefficiencies, resource allocation, lack of transparency, and policy implementation as some of the areas that have been grossly abused.
“We, the undersigned representatives of the Coalition of Private Energy Entrepreneurs, wish to express our profound dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs under the present Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo.
“Our coalition, representing the major stakeholders in the energy sector, has been monitoring the performance of the ministry with increasing concern.
“Over the past months, it has become painfully clear that the leadership of the Ministry of Gas under the current minister has been ineffective in addressing critical challenges facing our industry. These challenges include regulatory bottlenecks, inefficiencies in the allocation of resources, lack of transparency, and an overall sluggishness in policy implementation. Such issues have severely hampered the growth and sustainability of the private sector in energy, which is vital for the nation’s economic stability and development.
“Regulatory Inefficiencies: The existing regulatory framework under the current minister’s leadership has proven to be a significant obstacle to the efficient operation of the private energy sector. The prolonged approval processes and unclear regulatory guidelines are stifling innovation and expansion.
“Resource Allocation: There have been numerous instances of inequitable and inefficient allocation of gas resources, which have favored certain entities without due process. This practice undermines fair competition and discourages investment in the sector.
“Lack of Transparency: The ministry has failed to maintain a transparent decision-making process, leading to a loss of trust among private sector stakeholders. This opacity in operations hinders effective collaboration and accountability.
“Policy Implementation: The minister has not demonstrated the necessary urgency and competence in implementing critical policies that could drive growth and stability in the energy sector. The delays and inconsistencies in policy execution are detrimental to the sector’s progress and the nation’s energy security.
“Given these pressing issues, we believe that immediate action is necessary to prevent further deterioration of the sector. We respectfully call on President Bola Tinubu to consider the immediate replacement of the current Minister of Gas with a more capable and proactive leader. A leader who understands the intricacies of the energy market, values the contributions of the private sector, and is committed to fostering an environment that supports innovation, efficiency, and growth.
“We firmly believe that with the right leadership, the private energy sector can significantly contribute to the government’s objectives of achieving energy security, economic diversification, and sustainable development. Our coalition is ready to support and collaborate with a new minister who demonstrates a clear vision and commitment to these goals” the statement reads in part.
