Politics
David-West: Kachikwu Is A Minister Without Portfolio
Former minister of Petroleum, Tam David-West had said Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu is a minister without portfolio.
David-West said this in a recent interview with Punch.
He said this in response to Kachikwu’s petition to President Muhammadu Buhari where he accused the Director General of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Baru of contract fraud.
David-West said the minister of state cannot be the boss of the NNPC GMD.
“Actually, Buhari should be the chairman of the NNPC board and not Kachikwu, who is a minister without a portfolio in reality. It would be better if we scrapped the ‘minister of state’ which is superfluous and redundant,” he said.
“When you say that a minister of state is the boss of the GMD of NNPC, it is wrong. That cannot be. People are making those claims because of misconception. The minister of state in the first republic was a minister without a portfolio. He cannot be a boss of the GMD of an oil industry, who is the livewire of that sector.”
David-West, who disclosed that he had vowed not to comment on NNPC again, said was angry when he read Kachikwu’s petition.
“When I first read it (the petition) in the newspaper, I was flabbergasted. It is out of the question completely. I have said I will never comment on NNPC, but it would be irresponsible of me to keep quiet,” he said.
“It is dangerous. Despite the fact that I am no longer the oil minister, I know what is happening in the oil industry every day. I am still in touch with the system in Nigeria and even the North Sea Oil, Brent, I get the price every day.
“I am interested in the oil industry just like any other Nigerian, for obvious reasons. Oil accounts for 80 percent of the Nigerian budget and 90 per cent of its assets outside. The money we have outside and foreign reserves are mainly from oil. As someone from an oil-producing state, I am interested in what goes on in the industry. Thirdly, I have been there before and I know what is happening there.
“I don’t know the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, or the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru, but what is going on is very embarrassing to Nigeria. This has never happened before.
“Each time I read the newspapers about this issue, I am upset. An editor called me and asked me, ‘What is the duty of a minister of state?’ Some of these problems are caused by personality problems. Some of them have both bloated and ballooned egos. No one is indispensable in Nigeria because for every Nigerian holding a position, there are many others who are better qualified. No public servant can threaten the country. Nigeria is bigger than anyone, so whoever is in a top position should thank God and the country for the opportunity to serve. One million Tam David-Wests cannot threaten Nigeria.”
Dennis Arinze
October 16, 2017 at 2:45 am
And what are u
Antoinnette Nwanya
October 15, 2017 at 11:14 pm
So this one still dey talk ?
Uche Agbasi
October 15, 2017 at 10:09 pm
Bended old criminal,always seeking relevance on the blood of poor Nigerians.
Azoro Ifeanyi Fortunate
October 15, 2017 at 4:17 pm
Old fool… Hide ur face in shame cause u brought evil (buhari) onboard.. I remembered u said people should stone u if buhari did deliver?
Christopher Ochini
October 15, 2017 at 2:12 pm
Ok
Chidex Hillson
October 15, 2017 at 12:46 pm
Sharaaaaaap dia. Did u not help in foisting dis evil and satanic APC government on us? People like u should be sacrificed to d gods to cleanse d land
Ekene Udensi
October 15, 2017 at 12:27 pm
Every closed to grave wicked Hausa elders must die….
Unity Micheal Edokpolor
October 15, 2017 at 11:30 am
David west is old fool who once told the whole Nigerians that fuel subsidy is a scam that you can’t subsidize what you have surplus I’m just imagine what kind of human are you at your age you still lies about to get favor without thinking about the future of your children
Don Martino
October 15, 2017 at 11:29 am
Is it not this man that said Bubu will reduce the price of fuel to N45. Why can God do away with these cancerous bunkums so that we can have fresh air.
Uzochukwu Nwachukwu
October 15, 2017 at 11:25 am
From where
Kelechi Nwachineke Ipob
October 15, 2017 at 11:22 am
Buhari think that every problem is a nail and the solution must be hammer. Let us see wether they will force us to vote, they proscribe and ban a nation then demanding their vote. Since we are terrorist can we vote? Fellow biafrans ans me