Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has stated that allegations by the oil minister that the conduct of its group managing director lacked transparency were baseless.
The state oil company that has been dogged by allegations of mismanagement for decades wrote a statement on its website on Monday.
The OPEC member country, Africa’s biggest economy, relies on oil for around two thirds of government revenue.
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Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, in a letter to the president dated August 30 and confirmed by the oil ministry, said Maikanti Baru had bypassed the board on key decisions, including the allocation of contracts, and did not follow due process.
BREAKING: @NNPCgroup responds to allegations of lack of adherence to due process in contract awards https://t.co/3rd9J5zQ8f pic.twitter.com/CpuYLssMS3
— NNPC Group (@NNPCgroup) October 9, 2017
The minister also said Baru’s recent appointments should be suspended pending a review. Nigerian lawmakers last week passed a motion to investigate the allegations.
“The allegations were baseless and due process has been followed in the various activities,” NNPC said in an emailed statement.
“It is important to note from the outset that the law and the rules do not require a review or discussion with the minister of state or the NNPC board on contractual matters,” the state oil company said.
NNPC, on its Twitter feed, said: “Following publication of alleged lack of due process in the award of contracts, Pres. @MBuhari ordered GMD @NNPCgroup @DrMKBaru to respond.”
Kachikwu met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday after the letter was leaked last week.
It was the first time they had held private talks since Buhari returned to Nigeria on August 19 from three months of medical leave in Britain.
Kachikwu is the minister of state for petroleum. Buhari kept the portfolio of petroleum minister for himself.
Read NNPC‘s full statement here.
