Kachikwu’s memo mainly to incite the public, says Baru

Maikanti Baru, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says the allegations contained in Ibe Kachikwu’s memo to President Buhari was intended to incite the public.

Baru said this while playing host to members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), who paid him a solidarity visit at the NNPC headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement issued by Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC Group General Manager Group Public Affairs Division, Baru described Kachikwu’s allegations as “unfortunate” and “unfounded”.

“I know for those of you who are following what we are doing here, you know that there’s no money lost and no process has been breached,” Baru was quoted as saying.

“Our contracting process is perfect and we will continue to follow the process. The NNPC Board has no role, I repeat, has no role as far as the contracting process is concerned.

“The case of DSDP (direct sale, direct purchase) is of those that will take crude and give us products in return. So there is no value to them. But humongous figures have been put forward mainly to incite the public, it is most unfortunate.”

Ughamadu further stated that the unions pledged total support for Baru whose leadership they described as exemplary.

“The unions’ support for the GMD is based on his ability to walk his talk since assuming office last year,” Francis Johnson, the national President of PENGASSAN, was quoted as saying.

“The National body of PENGASSAN and all the NNPC in-house unions are here today to show our support for you.

“You have brought stability to the NNPC and we are happy today that staff morale is high. You were Chairman of NNPC Anti-Corruption Committee for over five years and that was what informed your appointment as GMD of NNPC.

“Today, all the bullets you are taking are on behalf of members of staff. We will continue to pray for you, God will continue to guide and shield you.”