The Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream has warned seven newly appointed Executive Directors of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) against administrative sabotage, inefficiency and actions that could undermine the implementation of government policies in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
The committee issued the warning on Thursday during the screening of the nominees forwarded by President Bola Tinubu for confirmation, stressing that the new directors must uphold transparency, accountability and professionalism in managing their respective departments.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Kawu Sumaila, said the Senate would not tolerate deliberate administrative bottlenecks, institutional failures or practices designed to frustrate government policies and weaken public institutions.
He charged the nominees to demonstrate integrity, competence and commitment to their statutory responsibilities, noting that their roles extended beyond managing departments to protecting public interest and ensuring effective implementation of the Federal Government’s petroleum sector objectives.
Sumaila said the directors would have significant responsibilities in strengthening the regulatory framework and supporting the development of an efficient petroleum industry capable of contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth. He also warned that undermining public institutions and government policies could damage the country’s economic prospects.
The seven nominees include Abiodun Adeiji, Executive Director, Finance and Accounts; Ogbugo Kalu, Executive Director, Distribution, Systems Storage and Retailing Infrastructure; and Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community.
Others are Mobolaji Musa, nominated as Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installation and Partnership and Transportation Infrastructure; Ogechukwu Modie, Executive Director, Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning; Said Abutalib, Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration; and Jumoke Gafar, Executive Director, Board Secretary and Legal Adviser.
The appointments cover critical areas of the midstream and downstream petroleum value chain, including product distribution, storage infrastructure, hydrocarbon processing, economic regulation, safety and corporate governance. The nominees were forwarded to the Senate last week for confirmation.
