The Senate, yesterday, confirmed the appointment of chairman and commissioners for the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NURC), following the consideration of the report of its Committee on Petroleum Upstream.
President Muhammadu Buhari last month requested the Senate to confirm the nominees in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
Four nominees were confirmed, including Isa Ibrahim Modibbo, Chairman; Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive; Hassan Gambo, Executive Commissioner, Finance and Accounts; and Rose Udom, Executive Commissioner, Exploration and Acreage Management.
The Chairman of the Committee, Albert Bassey (PDP, Akwa Ibom North East), who presented the report, 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 also said the appointments of the nominees satisfied the requirements of Sections 11 and 18(1-5) of the PIA 2021.
They have the unenviable responsibility of ensuring that they commit themselves and work hard to provide the solid and stable foundation for that matter, that they don’t waste any time because time is of essence.
He said: “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.
“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.”
Upon their confirmation, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the establishment of the NURC will provide a foundation for the stabilisation of the country’s petroleum industry.
He added that the Regulatory Commission has the enormous and huge responsibility of setting and establishing the Commission as provided in the Act.
Lawan said: “They have the unenviable responsibility of ensuring that they commit themselves and work hard to provide the solid and stable foundation for that matter, that they don’t waste any time because time is of essence.
“The petroleum industry will go through a reform process and the process has already started. This Commission is one of the huge arms of those reforms that will stabilise the petroleum industry in Nigeria.
“We expect nothing less than commitment and patriotism on their side and wish them the best and a very fruitful tenure as they take their offices.”
