Politics
NNPC CONTRACT SCANDAL: ACF faults Buhari’s inaction, demands probe
President Muhammadu Buhari has been asked to probe the allegations surrounding the award of contracts leveled against the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Baru, by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu for the interest of transparency.
The northern socio-political group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) made this call on Thursday in a communiqué signed by the national publicity secretary of the group at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Kaduna.
According to the group, President Buhari should investigate the allegation for the interest of transparency in management practices of the NNPC.
The communiqué read in part, “The meeting expressed deep concern over the open altercations between the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company. Dr. Maikanti Baru, over allegations of contract awards bordering on managerial imperfections and acts of insubordination made by the minister against the Group Managing Director.
“ACF had earlier called on Mr. President to thoroughly investigate the matter by giving fair hearing to both parties in order to know the actual facts in the interest of transparency in management practices of the NNPC.
“However, the meeting notes with regret the continued accusations and counter- accusations by the two public officers, which are precisely avoidable and unnecessary, considering the important role of the petroleum industry under their watch to the nation’s economy.”
Commenting on restructuring demands, the forum hinted that it had concluded plans to set up a committee on the issue. It said its committee will consider all aspect of the restructuring demands and then suggest a common standpoint that will put into consideration the interest of the North without prejudice to other national interests.
ACF maintained that it was committed to team up with others in the issue of restructuring so long as the goal is to improve the unity, peaceful coexistence, stability and balanced development of the country.
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