Abuja: The newly inaugurated board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has officially resumed duties, with Chairman Magnus Abe pledging to deliver improved leadership and enhance the Commission’s capacity to fulfil its statutory mandate in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Sen. Magnus Abe, Chairman of the NUPRC board, made this pledge at the NUPRC headquarters after being inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume.
Abe, in a statement by Eniola Akinkuotu, Head, Media and Corporate Communications, NUPRC, assured management that they would work strategically together to increase commissions and foster economic development.
He said the board’s role is to provide leadership and oversight.
He promised to secure improved NUPRC office facilities to maximise staff productivity.
“I believe that of all the priorities we should have, getting proper office accommodation should take priority over everything else,” he said.
The commission’s Chief Executive, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, congratulated the new board members, adding that the Commission depends on them for direction in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, which governs the upstream oil and gas sector.
Eyesan described the inauguration as coming at a most auspicious moment, especially amid the current spike in global upstream oil and gas prices occasioned by the Middle East crisis.
“Today, the oil and gas industry is seeing volatility because of the war in the Middle East and the transition and its impact on the industry.
Nigeria must act to respond to both the energy transition and disruptions from the Middle East.
“I believe the commission is positioned for the shocks or eventuality that may arise,” she said.
The NUPRC chief executive also reiterated management’s commitment to reforming the industry.
Members of the board inaugurated include: Sen. Magnus Abe (Chairman),
Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan (commission chief executive), Mr Sunday Babalola (non-executive commissioner), Mr Paul Jezhi (Non-executive Commissioner), Bashari Indabawa (Executive Commissioner) and Muhammed Lamido (executive commissioner).
Others are Mrs Patience Oyekunle (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources), Mr Mustapha Lamorde (Executive Director, HSEC, NMDPRA) and Mr Dalhat Kamal (Director, Ministry of Finance), while Ms Olayemi Adeboyejo serves as Commission Secretary/Legal Adviser.
AGNUS ABE— PHOTO CAPTION: Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, with Senator Magnus Abe, newly inaugurated Chairman of the NUPRC Board, shortly after the board’s inauguration in Abuja.