The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has assured the Bayelsa State Government of the possibility that the revoked license for Atala Oilfield, belonging to the state, will be returned to the state.
Lokpobiri, gave the assurance during a visit to Governor Douye Diri at the Government House, Yenagoa. This was conveyed in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah.
The Federal Government, through the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources, had in controversial circumstances revoked the license in April 2020 when another son of the state, Timipre Sylva, was the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
Lokpobiri expressed regrets that the Atala oilfield, a common patrimony of the state, was taken away, saying he would do everything within his power to bring back the asset.
He explained that his visit was to seek collaboration with the state government to address issues concerning Bayelsa and for the state to reap the dividends of democracy.
Lokpobiri also expressed concern over the level of pollution caused by illegal bunkering activities, noting that if the trend was not checked, it could be an existential threat.
On his part the Bayelsa governor congratulated Lokpobiri on his appointment and appreciated President Bola Tinubu for appointing a worthy son of Bayelsa as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.”