THE GUARDIAN

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

The confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources at plenary presided over by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

The nominees confirmed are: Isa Ibrahim Modibbo, Chairman; Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive; Hassan Gambo, Executive Commissioner, Finance and Accounts; and Ms Rose Ndong, Executive Commissioner, Exploration and Acreage Management.

Chairman of the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Albert Bassey Akpan, in his presentation, said 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.

He noted that the appointments satisfy the requirements of Sections 11 and 18 (1-5) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. According to him, “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.”

Akpan stated that the Committee was satisfied with the qualifications, experience, suitability, competence and integrity of the nominees to assume the position of Chairman, Chief Executive and Executive Commissioners of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission.

The Senate President said the establishment of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission would provide a foundation for the stabilisation of the petroleum industry in Nigeria.

He said: “The Regulatory Commission has the enormous and huge responsibility of setting and establishing the Commission as provided in the Petroleum Industry Act.