NNPC, GMD, DSS — NNPC GMD, Dr Maikanti Baru

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation GMD, Maikanti Baru, has again reacted to allegations of corruption and insubordination raised against him by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibeh Kachikwu, describing the allegations as unfounded and unfortunate.

Speaking on Monday when unions in the oil and gas sector, PENGASSAN and NUPENG, paid him a visit, Baru said he did no wrong and repeated his argument that the NNPC board chaired by Kachikwu had no powers to regulate or approve contracts awarded by the state oil company.

“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. 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.”

Baru also accused Kachikwu of making up “humongous” contract figures to incite the public, describing the allegations of the award of contracts without regard to due process as “unfounded and unfortunate.”

On the crude term contract and the DSDP agreements, the NNPC GMD said, “These are not contracts as such, they are essentially pre-qualification of off-takers of crude oil and in the case of DSDP, 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,” the NNPC GMD said.

On the allegation of lop-sided promotions, the GMD asked the union leaders if their members felt disenchanted to which the unionists chorused a resounding “no”.

He urged the union leaders to enlighten their members on the facts and encourage them to go about their duties without distraction.