This news has been making the rounds in both the conventional and internet media that President Muhammadu Buhari is to assume the position of Minister of Petroleum when he appoints ministers next month

Ordinarily, this should be a welcome development for several reasons.

Number one is that the president’s reputation as “Mr Clean” remains intact, even among his political adversaries. Number two is that the fight against corruption, especially in the cash-cow oil sector, has been a major concern of Nigerians which Buhari promised to address during his campaigns. Number three and most importantly, is that President Buhari is a veteran in the management of the sector. He spearheaded the establishment of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) when he was oil minister in the late 1970’s. He has the cognate experience to do a thorough job and creating the right template before ceding the position to a cabinet minister.

However, we are concerned about issues of transparency and accountability if the president chooses to take up the post in addition to his onerous and overloaded duties as the nation’s Chief Executive and Security Officer. The nation is still at sea over the way in which former President Olusegun Obasanjo handled the same job for six years from 1999 when he assumed power. A number of turnaround maintenance projects were undertaken and billions of naira sunk and yet the refineries remained comatose until after Buhari took over, and they started bouncing back, as if by magic. We do not want a repeat of the nation being put in the dark about proceedings in the industry.

One big disadvantage of having the president of the country as Minister of Petroleum Resources is that it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for him to be summoned by the National Assembly to be grilled over any misgivings that might arise, and to supply information that will help to set the minds of Nigerians at rest when the “clean-up” of the industry begins. The story will be different if a minister is on the job.

We suggest that the president appoints a person of proven competence and integrity to carry out his mandate in the industry and be available and accountable to Nigerians through the federal legislature, the media and civil society.

Once bitten, they say, twice shy. A minister should be put on the job for greater transparency, accessibility and accountability.

http://www.chuzzyblog.com/2015/08/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-buhari.html

Sorry, your reason for not supporting the idea does not hold water. You said the President will facilitate the clean up of the sector and corruption would be eradicated, if all these are achieved then why will there b any summon at all??
And since they've be summoning have things been better? ?? These people are corrupt and they only summon, most times, when their interests are being threatened

At least more than $20 billion won't get missing and the corruption rate will reduce with the high rate of imported refined crude

Mehn the advantages is more than the disadvantages


Kai and my man said he must drink from Niger delta oil kai wahali na cow milk from daura my man go drink this time

My sai buhari you are a gift from above thank you

9ja will be great to again

Time is coming when Nigerians will be respected in airports than the usual treatment they are getting now

Sai baba

He said 18months and not 4 years... Let him do it... I am not in a hurry change....

Only wanna read the advantageous side..... I trust my President.