The Senate has warned seven nominees for executive positions in Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sector against corruption, administrative sabotage and inefficiency, saying any conduct that frustrates government policies could undermine the country’s economic future.
The warning came on Thursday during the screening of the nominees forwarded to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu for consideration.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South, said the Senate would not tolerate institutional bottlenecks, lack of transparency or deliberate actions capable of weakening reforms in the petroleum industry.
“Under our watch, we will not tolerate administrative sabotage, lack of transparency, inefficiency or any conduct that undermines the effective implementation of government policies,” Sumaila said.
He charged the nominees to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability, stressing that their responsibilities extended beyond managing their respective offices.
“Your primary responsibility is to uphold the law, protect the public interest and faithfully implement the policies and objectives of the Federal Government within your respective mandates,” he said.
Sumaila warned that deliberate efforts to undermine public institutions or frustrate government policies would have wider consequences for the country.
“Sabotaging public institutions and government policies is ultimately sabotaging the future and economic prosperity of Nigeria,” he added.
Senate outlines expectations for nominees
The committee chairman acknowledged the challenges facing the nominees but expressed confidence that patriotism, competence, integrity and dedication would enable them to perform their duties effectively.
He said the nominees had an important role in strengthening the petroleum sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth and national development.
The seven nominees are expected to occupy key management positions covering finance, infrastructure, economic regulation, environmental safety and corporate administration within the midstream and downstream petroleum sector.
Seven nominees screened
The nominees screened by the committee are:
- Abiodun A. Adeiji – Executive Director, Finance and Accounts.
- Ogbugo Kalu Ukoha – Executive Director, Distribution, Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure.
- Mustapha Lamorde – Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community.
- Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa – Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installation and Partnership and Transportation Infrastructure.
- Ogechukwu Olufunmilayo Modie – Executive Director, Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning.
- Said Abutalib – Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration.
- Jumoke Gafar – Executive Director, Board Secretary and Legal Adviser.
President Tinubu had forwarded the seven names to the Senate last week for consideration.
The screening forms part of the National Assembly’s process for considering presidential nominations to key management positions in the agencies responsible for regulating Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum sectors.
