PIA: Senate Confirms Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission Board, Scraps DPR

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of board members for the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission.

The confirmation of NURC board members was preceded by a consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources.

With the confirmation of the board, the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission has automatically replaced the Department of Petroleum Resources. The new commission will take over the responsibilities of the DPR when on the inauguration.

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Confirmed board members of the NURC are;
Isa Modibbo – Chairman; Gbenga Komolafe – Chief Executive; Hassan Gambo – Executive Commissioner, Finance and Accounts; and Rose Ndong – Executive Commissioner, Exploration and Acreage Management.

During his presentation, Senator Albert Akpan, Chairman of the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), noted that the nominees demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the workings of the petroleum industry, especially the upstream petroleum sector, as well as the economics of petroleum exploration and production.

“There are no adverse reports against the nominees as record checks and other forms of investigations by security agencies did not reveal any negative trace against them,” he said.

He added that the appointments of the nominees satisfy the requirements of Sections 11 and 18 (1-5) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties has demanded for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, and House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila over their failure to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians.