AREWA CONSULTATIVE FORUM TASKS BUHARI TO CAUTION BARU, KACHUKWU

KADUNA, Nigeria – The Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to caution Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, and Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, over their claims and counter claims on alleged fraudulent practices in the NNPC.

The ACF issued the statement at the end of its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna, calling on the minister and the GMD to resolve their differences amicably in the interest of the oil industry and the nation.

“The meeting expressed deep concern over the open altercations between Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, 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 a fair hearing to both parties to know the actual facts in the interest of transparency in management practices of 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.

‘’ACF, therefore, appeals to President Buhari to call the officers concerned to order, or better still let the minister and the GMD resolve their differences amicably in the interest of the oil industry and the nation”, the ACF said.

On the call for restructuring, the ACF noted that it will support “any restructuring meant to improve the unity, peaceful coexistence, stability and balanced development of the country that comes with social justice be based on justice, fairness and equity to all.”