Petrol Marketers Blast Kachikwu Over Baru
BY ARCHIBONG EYO, ABUJA – The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Thursday came hard on the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, describing his allegations of corruption against the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, as uninformed and irresponsible.
Speaking through its National Secretary, Mr Danladi Pasali, he said, “We are not surprised that Dr Baru was accused of insubordination by the minister because if the GMD has allowed himself to become an errand boy to the minister just as some of the past GMDs did, he wouldn’t have been accused of such.
“As his position as chairman of NNPC board, the minister should have resolve any internal issue at the board meeting, not to resort to media war.”
Describing Kachikwu’s letter as a mere distraction to the achievements of the NNPC, IPMAN noted, “As major stakeholders in the downstream oil and gas sector, we acknowledge the successes achieved since the assumption of the current Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru and his team.
“The Baru-led administration has been carrying out outstanding reforms which sanitized the downstream oil sector.
“To this end, IPMAN as major stakeholders with highest distribution outlets across the country hereby reiterate our support to the GMD and his team especially, the current Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Marketing Company, Alhaji Umoru Aliyu Ajiya for the good work they have been doing.’’
