Posted On: Sun 08 Oct 2017 By Muideen Olaniyi | DAILY TRUST NG
“It is worrisome that this monumental fraud could be taking place under his watch. If he (Muhammadu Buhari) is incapable of providing leadership in that sector, we demand a change,” the National Secretary of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), James Okoroma said yesterday in Abuja.
Okoroma said the revelations by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, about constitutional breaches in the award of contracts amounting to over $26 billion in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) remained a matter of urgent national importance, which must not be swept under the carpet.
He said in a recent memo to President Buhari, Kachikwu alleged that the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru awarded contracts amounting to $26 billion without following due process.
The party voiced concern over the silence of the Presidency and the Ministry of Petroleum under the supervision of President Buhari.
“Since he (Buhari) is the one presiding over the affairs of the petroleum ministry, the buck drops at his table. The President should own up and address Nigerians on these monumental allegations of misappropriation of our national patrimony.
“As a political party that is deeply concerned about the manner in which our national resources are mismanaged, the ADP is constrained to react formally to this national embarrassment in the oil sector, which remains the mainstay of our economy and the cauldron of corruption in Nigeria.
“Government’s loud silence on these allegations is most worrisome. It is also a clear indication that the APC-led Federal Government is paying lip service to its much-touted war against corruption, which has been largely selective,” said Okoroma.
The ADP demanded an immediate suspension of the NNPC GMD to enable investigations commence and the reversal of all the decisions taken so far by the GMD, which are in breach of the Public Procurement Act, including the revocation of the contracts in question.
The party also asked for the resignation of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Kachikwu.
The ADP said it had already written to the BPE and the NNPC management, demanding for all the documents on the controversial contracts in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
“We have no option, but to go to court if they fail to make the documents available within 14 days as stipulated in the FOI Act.
“The National Assembly should do the needful by engaging the President directly on this matter, since he is the substantive Minister of Petroleum. They should be guided by their oath of office and ensure that all those who are involved are not spared,” he also said.
Source: Daily Trust NG
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