By Danjuma Amodu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated six Executive Directors for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, and approved the appointment of a new Secretary to the Board of the Authority.
The nominations were contained in a letter forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, according to a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Under the proposal, three Executive Directors are being returned for a second term, while three new nominees are to be appointed. Once confirmed by the Senate, all six will serve a five-year term in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.
The renominated Executive Directors are Mr Abiodun Adeniji, who will continue as Executive Director, Finance and Accounts; Mr Ogbugo Kalu Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure; and Dr Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community.
The new nominees are Mr Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa as Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure; Ms Ogechukwu Modie as Executive Director, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning; and Mr Said Abutalib as Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration.
President Tinubu urged the Senate to give expeditious consideration to the nominations to ensure institutional continuity and to strengthen the Authority’s oversight capacity in the midstream and downstream sectors.
In a related development, the President also approved the appointment of Mrs Jumoke Gafar as Secretary to the Board/Authority and Legal Adviser. The appointment is subject to the completion of statutory processes under Section 46 of the Petroleum Industry Act.
The latest appointments come months after President Tinubu appointed Engr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as Chief Executive of the NMDPRA in April, as part of ongoing reforms to reposition the oil and gas regulatory framework for efficiency, transparency and investment growth.
The NMDPRA is responsible for the technical and commercial regulation of midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.
