The Senate has warned President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for executive director positions in the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority against actions that could frustrate ongoing reforms in the petroleum sector.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Downstream Petroleum, Senator Sumaila Kawu (Kano South), gave the warning on Thursday during the screening of seven nominees by the Senate Joint Committee on Downstream Petroleum and Gas.
Kawu expressed concern that administrative bottlenecks, inefficiency, and deliberate non-compliance by some government agencies were frustrating policies and weakening public confidence.
Although he did not identify the agencies involved or provide specific examples, he urged the nominees to uphold the law and demonstrate integrity and accountability in carrying out their responsibilities.
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He charged them to ensure effective implementation of government policies within their respective areas of authority, warning against conduct capable of undermining the President’s petroleum-sector reforms.
The senator also urged the nominees to consider how the reforms affected households and businesses, noting that rising fuel prices had increased the cost of transportation, food and other essential commodities.
He called for practical and sustainable regulatory measures to ease the economic pressure on Nigerians.
Kawu further identified energy security, the elimination of inefficiencies, healthy competition and sustainable investment as priorities for the petroleum industry.
He also stressed the need for regulatory institutions to maintain independence in performing their statutory duties while remaining accountable to the public.
The screening covered seven executive director positions in finance and accounts; distribution, systems, storage and retailing infrastructure; health, safety, environment and community; hydrocarbon processing and transportation infrastructure; economic regulation and strategic planning; corporate services and administration; and board secretary and legal affairs.
The nominees are Abiodun A. Adeiji, Ogbugo Kalu Ukoha, Mustapha Lamorde, Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa, Ogechukwu Olufunmilayo Modie, Said Abutalib, and Jumoke Gafar.
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