The Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Mr Mohammad Barkindo, has congratulated Mr Timipre Sylva on his appointment as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
Barkindo disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
He described the newly appointed minister is a veteran of the oil industry in Nigeria, where he served as adviser to former Petroleum Minister, His Royal Highness, Dr. Edmond Dakouru.
“He will bring his rich experience to bear on his new and heavy responsibilities.
“OPEC looks forward to working with him to advance the implementation of the historic Declaration of Cooperation and Charter of Cooperation,” he said.
It will be recalled that Slyva contributed profoundly to the institution of the Amnesty programme in the Niger Delta region which, over time, has led to restoration of peace in the oil producing areas of Nigeria.
Silva, a one-time governor of Bayelsa State, was born July 7, 1964.
Immediately after his inauguration as minister in Abuja, Sylva pledged his readiness to work with all to ensure a viable oil and gas sector.
Sylva who was received by the Permanent Secretary, Directors and heads of all the Parastatal agencies under the ministry, thanked everyone for the warm reception.
“Thank you for the warm welcome, I will definitely put in my best and work hard to help in repositioning of the ministry.
“I know that the president will give me some mandate and with the competent managers of all the offices, we will work together to achieve greater heights,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, the permanent Secretary assured the minister that they would work as a team noting that the ministry had no choice than to work hard.
