The United States (U.S.) has urged the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to look out for an experienced hand for as petroleum minister.
The U.S. expressed concern about the manner top government officials have managed the oil and gas sector, citing several acts that bothered on corruption.
As stated by a top diplomatic source, the U.S. “is now eager to turn the situation around, as it has always considered Nigeria an important ally on the African continent”.
Several high placed persons and multinational companies, who attended a U.S. State Department briefing, cited corruption as the main reason for low investment in Nigeria’s oil sector.
It is understood that the U.S. is backing a senior official of a multi-national oil company from Delta State, who is conversant with transparency rules to emerge as the Petroleum Minister.
The source said: “In fact, the multinationals have discussed with the U.S. State Department and have already agreed on a credible candidate, who, they believe, will be able to restore confidence and attract the necessary investment into the critical sector.”
Reliable sources added that the U.S. has already made this position known to the President.
“The U.S. has cautioned the president-elect over making a wrong choice and has advised him to focus on somebody, whose pedigree is top notch and who apart from having the requisite experience in the sector, has had no conflict of interest issues and has not been in the political terrain.
“The U.S. authorities will like the President-elect to focus on someone from a major oil company and commanding a pedigree and influence level that will give them confidence to pull back fleeing investments,” a diplomatic source stated at the weekend.
The sources added that only this will convince the international community that it is not going to be business as usual in Nigeria.
Top brass in the oil and gas industry have indicated their support for the proposed candidate, who they believe will bring his vast experience to bear in the turnaround of the ministry and give credibility to the sector and to Buhari’s “change philosophy”.