NNPC, first agency to imbibe FG’s anti-corruption drive, says Baru
By Olamilekan FAWAS
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru, has said the organisation was the first to adopt an anti-corruption posture among all Federal Government agencies.
Baru, speaking at his valedictory address in Abuja, on Monday, stated that he was made the chairman of the anti-corruption committee of the NNPC unexpectedly shortly after the erstwhile chairman passed away.
The event was attended by the Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi; the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu; and past GMDs of the NNPC, among others.
Baru said, “Today, people have been surprised: ‘What is EFCC doing here? Are they coming to carry the GMD?’ He came with a badge for me. My anti-corruption campaign was forced on me by Engr Kupolokun when he was GMD, I (will) never forget it.
“The NNPC was the very first agency to imbibe that government drive of fighting corruption. I recall the passage of the bill for the ICPC was in September 2000 or the assent.
“And the NNPC in October 2000 inaugurated an in-house anti-corruption committee to leverage on that act. So, when people talk about transparency and integrity, the NNPC had always watched out for infractions and corruption.”
