Tayo Alasoadura, the senator who chairs the Senate committee on petroleum resources (upstream), has called for the immediate suspension of the Ibe Kachikwu, the minister of state for petroleum and Maikanti Baru, the group managing director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
Alasoadura specifically stated this during a live political programme on Channels Television on Sunday, October 8, 2017.
Senator Alasoadura noted that Maikanti Baru’s continued presence at the NNPC could jeopardise the Senate investigation into the allegations that he allegedly approved contracts to the tune of $25 billion without the approval of the corporation’s board.
When asked if they should be suspended, Alasoadura stated, “I believe so; especially the man who is doing the day-to-day running of the organisation. In order not to hinder or hamper that investigation, because records will be needed and even from the date of the leakage of that letter, I think action should have been taken to ensure that nothing will be missing when investigations start
“So, I think the two of them should be asked to step aside and when investigation is over, whoever is culpable will go and whoever is not culpable, will continue with his duties.”
The lawmaker, who represents Ondo Central Senatorial District, said one of the causes of the problem was the fact that Buhari doubled as the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
Describing the arrangement as faulty, Alasoadura said Buhari should step down and appoint a substantive minister who would be able to do the job more effectively.
He added, “Judging from the many problems plaguing our country today, I believe Mr. President should devote more time to other things and let an independent person run the petroleum resources ministry who will then report to him twice or once a week.’’
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