Jetty and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners of Nigeria (JEPTFON) has described as “malicious and deliberate” the media attacks on the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, by some people who rake up imaginary allegations of wrong doing against her.

According to the Association, the Minister has sought to reduce corruption and enthrone transparency in the industry by continuously pushing for the introduction of the removal of government subsidies on fuel prices.

“The Minister supported the discontinuation of the subsidy on the grounds that it poses a huge financial burden on the government, disproportionately benefits the wealthy, encourages inefficiency, corruption and diversion of scarce public resources away from investment in critical infrastructure,” JEPTFON said.

JEPFTON also stated that as key players in the sector, “We are well placed to commend the Minister for the landmark changes she has made in the Ministry and in the oil and gas sector.”

The Association declared its support for the “innovative and effective leadership that the Minister has brought to bear in the sector.”

Continuing, it said, “The achievements in the industry, such as local content growth, indigenous companies participating at par with international players, among others, championed by the minister, are lost in the noise.

“All the gains made in gas-to-power and the attempts by the minister, to reposition the industry with the PIB are lost in the cacophony of misplaced headlines of jet chartering.

“We therefore warn individuals who never find anything good in the Minister by always bringing up all conceivable allegations against her that their unfounded attacks would further damage Nigeria’s perception in the international scene.”