Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the country’s Senate to confirm four nominees he submitted for the position of executive commissioners of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission.
The NUPRC has the statutory responsibility of ensuring compliance to petroleum laws, regulations and guidelines in the oil and gas industry.
The Commission monitors operations at drilling sites, producing wells, production platforms and flowstations, crude oil export terminals, refineries, storage depots, pump stations, retail outlets, any other locations where petroleum is either stored or sold, and all pipelines carrying crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products, while carrying out the following functions, among others.
The President’s request was contained in a letter sent to the upper chamber last week and read during plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
Entitled, ‘Request for confirmation of appointment of four Executive Commissioners for Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission,’ the letter read in part, “In accordance with the provision of Section 11(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, I hereby forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the under-listed four nominees as executive commissioners for the board of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission.”
Those nominated by the President for confirmation include: Dr. Nuhu Habib (North West, Kano state), commissioner, development and production; and Dr. Kelechi Onyekachi Ofoegbu (South East, Imo state), commissioner, economic regulation and strategic planning.
Others are Capt. Tonlagha Roland John (South-South, Delta state), commissioner, health, safety, environment and community; and Jide Adeola (North Central, Kogi state), commissioner, corporate services and administration.
Other functions of the Commission include supervising all petroleum industry operations being carried out under licences and leases in the country; monitoring the petroleum industry operations to ensure that are in line with national goals and aspirations including those relating to flare down and domestic gas supply obligations.
Other functions are, ensuring that health safety & environment regulations conform with national and international best oil field practice; maintaining records on petroleum industry operations, particularly on matters relating to petroleum reserves, production/exports, licences and leases.
The Commission advises government and relevant government agencies on technical matters and public policies that may have impact on the administration and petroleum activities; processes industry applications for leases, licences and permits.
It is also the job of the Commission to ensure timely and accurate payments of Rents, Royalties and other revenues due to the government, and maintain and administer the National Data Repository (NDR).
By Chidi Ekpewerechi
Be the first to know when we publish an update
