MINISTER of State for Petoluem and Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu yesterday
apologised to Nigerians over the sufferings orchestrated by the persistent fuel
scarcity in the country adding that his remarks over the situation which became
controversial was quoted out of context.
Kachikwu explained that his submission of not being a
magician did not in any way connote his incapability to fix the problems but
essentially to let citizens understand the critical processes the government is
going through, and also to know that the situation requires procedures.
The Minister yesterday appeared before the Senate Committee
on Petroleum (Down Stream) in a summon to account for the persistent fuel
scarcity where he categorically said that he spoke from a professional point of
view adding that he considers it extremely unpatriotic and unprofessional for
him to air his views as a politician which he is not.
“I share the pains of Nigerians, I fell that pain everyday
when I walk the streets. On Easter day, I was in Lagos monitoring fuel
distribution and depots. I have given a 24 hours attention to the problems.
“I have continued to work with one sole purpose which is the
every problem must have a solution and I think that is the reason I was picked.
“I do apologise for the comment that I made jocularly with my
friends in the press about being a magician and it offended some Nigerians. It
was not meant to be serious; it was a side jocular issue.
“I did go on to explain what needed to be done, I did not
know that it would create the kind of hyperbole (exaggeration) that it did. Let me first admit that I am not typically experienced
politician, I am a technocrat; I come to work. Some of the phraseologies that I
may use, while being acceptable in the arena in which I play obviously will not
be acceptable in the public political arena. So if anybody’s sensibilities were offended by those words,
I totally apologise”, Kachikwu stated.
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