Dear Kachikwu, Simple Is Simply Better By Lekan Fatodu

Let me start by admitting that I may be according significance to a common assumption. I am among the lot who think that individuals who have gone through some notable institutions of higher learning, particularly the coveted Ivy League universities in the UK and America have so much to offer to improve our ailing system. Most especially when placed in positions within their professional borders.
Would you really blame us for that line of thought? I guess, no. As a matter of fact, in other countries, graduates and alumni of such great citadel of learning have constituted themselves into a cult of curative intellects and problem solvers.

For instance in Britain it is reported that about 60% of the government’s powerful establishments such as the Parliament and the British judiciary are peopled by former members of Oxbridge; that is, Oxford and Cambridge. Even though a section of the public has frowned on what is now termed the “Old boys’ club”, the positive impact of these old boys, including girls, in the advancement of the Great Britain is evident to all discerning eyes. Yet these individuals are not flagging in their efforts to make their country greater. They are marked for proffering simple yet effective solutions to difficult situations.

So when, last year, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu was appointed as the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC) and his academic and professional credentials were churned out to accentuate the worth and wealth of experience of the new honcho to the Nigerian public, I was one of those who thought that it was a fitting appointment, a good step towards salvaging the nation’s troubled oil corporation.

According to the profile of Kachikwu that was shared with Nigerians upon his appointment as the GMD of the NNPC, Ibe Kachikwu graduated first class in Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and distinction from the Nigerian Law School. And he was the best graduating student and multiple awards winner from both Institutions at his graduation. He thereafter obtained a Masters and Doctorate Degree in Law from Harvard University, with distinctions. Undoubtedly impressive, you would say. And until his government’s appointment, he was the Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Exxon Mobil (Africa).

With this relevant experience and exposure, most people have been in high spirit that, under the new chief, Nigeria will get far more than what she deserves or what the country is expecting in the overhauling plan of its preeminent industry – oil -, and ultimately in the supply of sufficient petrol to meet the daily consumption needs of the citizens which is put at 40 million litres.

But unfortunately and unlike the Ivy Leaguers across the pond, Kachikwu has not really proven the unique problem-solving qualities yet.  Months into his position as the GMD and the minister of state for petroleum, an unprecedented double portfolio which was said was bestowed on him for his faculty and capacity to deliver, Kachikwu has not been able to effectively confront one of Nigerians’ greatest challenges, fuel scarcity, upon which he is actually going to be adjudged as a real performer or otherwise.

Though I understand that the man is good with words, it is then shocking that many of his utterances have created more confusion and worries in the polity than comfort. A case of note: Nigerians were titillated by his assurance upon resumption at the NNPC in August 2015 that by December 2015 the country’s refineries would have been restored to work optimally and by so doing reduce the shortage of petroleum products in the country.  But shortly after, he recanted suggesting that the refineries may be put up for sale should they fail to gain a new life as the minister earlier promised, a position the Presidency has already stoutly moved against.

Just last week, the minister almost threw the nation into a state of long commotion following his confusing statement on the “unbundling” and, later “restructuring” of the NNPC. Nigerian oil workers under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) embarked on a nation-wide strike to openly reject the idea of unbundling of the NNPC by the minister. No sooner had the workers unions announced the strike action than the situation of fuel scarcity got seriously worsen across the country. While the queues at various filling stations across the country stretched longer than usual, the black marketers on the streets had a field day hiking already outrageously hiked prices of petrol in different sizes of jerry cans sold along major roads. All of this occurred because the minister didn’t make his message simple!

Even though the minister has come, once again, to disregard the earlier statement he made on the unbundling of the corporation and has since acquiesced to robust engagements with the leaderships of the oil workers’ groups, the losses and untoward hardship visited on Nigerians through the hours of the strike action show lack of coordination and clear direction towards the transformation of the oil sector.

This is a critical aspect the minister needs to re-evaluate profoundly for better outcomes especially one that will help in improving the socio-economic conditions of all Nigerians.

Basically the simple language the average Nigerian understands is the surplus flow of petroleum products for the daily needs of the populace. And this language can be well presented in such a way it can be well understood by all stakeholders down to the man on the street.

Meanwhile, while some feel that Nigeria has not really been fortunate with her crop of Ivy Leaguers and “first class” brains in government, hopefully Kachikwu will make a good exception for the good of the nation.