President Jonathan meets NNPC chiefs over missing funds

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday met top officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in a meeting behind closed-door inside the Presidential Villa.

A source said the meeting, which was also attended by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, was over the alleged missing $20bn crude oil sales proceeds.

Makarfi’s committee is currently investigating the issue.

The senator, however, left the venue of the meeting before others and refused to speak with journalists.

The NNPC delegation was led by its Group Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Yakubu.

Meanwhile, the President has approved the appointment of Mr. Farouk Ahmed as the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency.

The appointment, which takes immediate effect, was announced in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

Ahmed takes over from the incumbent, Mr. Reginald Stanley, who is retiring after 35 years in service.

The incoming executive secretary, who is from Sokoto State, is currently the Managing Director, Nidas Marine Limited, a subsidiary of the NNPC.