By Idowu Bankole
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has dismissed reports in a section of the media suggesting that the Federal Government plans to probe an alleged diversion of the Frontier Exploration Fund, describing such reports as misleading and inaccurate.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, the Minister clarified that at no point during his remarks at the 43rd Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), held in Lagos on Monday, did he announce or hint at any investigation into the Fund.
According to the statement, Senator Lokpobiri merely emphasised the need for the optimal and purposeful deployment of the Frontier Exploration Fund, as provided for under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), to accelerate exploration in Nigeria’s frontier basins such as Chad, Anambra, Sokoto, and Benue, among others.
“The Minister’s comments were aimed at encouraging renewed commitment to the objectives of the Frontier Exploration Fund — not at alleging wrongdoing or announcing any formal probe,” the statement read.
Lokpobiri reiterated that the Fund remains a strategic tool for unlocking Nigeria’s untapped hydrocarbon potential and must be efficiently utilized to stimulate investment, enhance exploration, and secure the nation’s energy future.
He also reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficiency in managing all public funds, especially within the petroleum sector.
The statement urged the media to exercise due diligence and accuracy in reporting official statements, ensuring that the Minister’s remarks are represented faithfully and in their proper context.
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