Buhari In Total Confusion As NNPC Act Fails To Recognise The Embattled State Minister As Chairman NNPC Board.
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Report making rounds, revealed that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, is not recognised in the Act that set up the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, as Chairman of the Corporation’s Board.
This shocking revelation came as President Muhammad Buhari delves into the substantive issues concerning the administration of the NNPC, which have been brought to the fore by Ibe Kachikwu.
Reacting, a top source in the NNPC said that Kachikwu is not recognised by the NNPC Act as Chairman of the Board of the Corporation, as the Act recognises the Minister for Petroleum, and not the Minister of State for Petroleum.
“The NNPC Act does not recognise a Minister of State. The Act is explicit that the Petroleum Minister is the Chairman of the NNPC Board.”
“The NNPC GMD reports to the Corporation Board Chairman, who of course, is the President. He (Baru) goes to the Chairman, because that is what the Act says.”
Although, some Analysts said that the matter seen as a technical point, may be discarded by President Buhari, who doubles as the Minister for Petroleum.
“Buhari was on sick leave for more than 3 months earlier this year, and insiders believe Maikanti Baru, the NNPC GMD, should have deferred to Kachikwu during the President’s absence.
“In addition, President Buhari named Kachikwu as the Chairman of the NNPC Board in July, 2016”, the source said.
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