The Minister of State for Petroleum and Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Ibe Kachikwu, does not live in official quarters but operates from a rented apartment and also drives a private car.
This revelation is coming from a group of concerned citizens who see those criticising the minister for alleged ostentatious lifestyle as a mere distraction.
A group under the aegis of ‘Coalition for Change’ based in Edo State has disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum is still using his personal property to run his office in Abuja despite his status.
The group’s reaction followed an advertorial published in several newspapers by a certain oil company, Oil Mogul Nigeria Limited, accusing Kachikwu of living an ostentatious lifestyle contrary to the policy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to cut the cost of governance.
The group stated that: “Dr Kachikwu does not own or operate a private jet; neither has he hired one since assumption of office.
He is sometimes availed the use of logistic resources by the international oil companies to support the efficiency of his activities as minister. And this is at no cost to the Federal Government of Nigeria unlike what operated in the previous regime.”
The group also claimed that Dr Kachikwu is still living in a personal rented apartment since he assumed office and driving his personal car.
“Dr Kachikwu is not a saint but he must be left alone to do his job. Managing the oil sector is not a tea party. He needs all the concentration required for the job,” the group concluded.
Kachikwu has been accused by some media reports that he flew in the Bombardier luxury private jets with cozy interior which belongs to VistaJet Holding SA, a Swiss charter airline that has satellite facilities in some countries of the world, including Nigeria, along with the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
But in a quick reaction, the concerned group dismissed the allegation as unfounded. In a related development, the NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Garba Deen, has also disclosed that neither the ministry nor the national oil firm had spent a dime as payment for the services of VistaJet since Kachikwu came on board.
He clarified that the NNPC had about 60 per cent stake in various joint ventures, adding that the partners in the JV agreements were responsible for the payment of the services rendered by the private airline – The Sun.
Dr Ibe Emmanuel Kachikwu is NOT a poor appointee of PMB neither did he buy the ministrial position. He worked extra hard to attain the status now envied by the ‘frausters, miscreants and oil thieves’ who will never see anything good in the change that is sweeping them away.He is a well polished gentleman; a very rare breed whose lifestyle should be emulated by all. PMB couldn’t have appointed any one less. He is an astute business man whose spirit is not occupied by corruption.
Dr Kachikwu that I know can never be intimidated. He is Not a poor businessman. He is highly qualified and respected in both publishing and oil industry.
The critics should go ahead; their criticism will make Dr stronger.
Dr Ibe Kachikwu, our Minister of State Petroleum Resources, is a cerebral, highly patriotic and accomplished oil industry professional. He is a courageous quintessential technocrat – they don’t come any better than this. He should be allowed to focus on the very challenging task of sorting out Nigeria’s convoluted oil industry without further political distractions. He joined PMB government to work and serve, and help salvage this economy not to play diversionary politics. Enough of unfounded allegations and distractions please !
Don Chudi Ezeh