BY AHMED AKANBI
The Senate, on Thursday, read the riot act to newly appointed Executive Directors of agencies regulating Nigeria’s Midstream and Downstream Petroleum sectors, warning them against sabotage, inefficiency and lack of transparency.
The warning came during a screening session organised by the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream for the seven nominees forwarded by President Bola Tinubu last week.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South), said unwholesome practices prevalent in some government agencies, including administrative bottlenecks, institutional inefficiencies and deliberate acts of sabotage, must not be allowed under their watch.
“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 warned.
He went to further: “You are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability.
“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.
“Sabotaging public institutions and government policies is ultimately sabotaging the future and economic prosperity of Nigeria.“
He acknowledged that the task ahead for the nominees was challenging, but said with patriotism, competence, integrity and unwavering dedication, they would succeed in helping the country build a petroleum sector that contributes significantly to national and economic prosperity.
The seven nominees screened are Mr Abiodun A. Adeiji, nominated 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.
Others are Mr Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa, Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installation and Partnership and Transportation Infrastructure; Mrs Ogechukwu Olufunmilayo Modie, Executive Director, Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning; Mr Said Abutalib, Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration; and Mrs Jumoke Gafar, Executive Director, Board Secretary and Legal Adviser.