By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Engineer Saidu Mohammed and Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), respectively.
The confirmations followed the consideration and adoption of the report by the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum (Upstream, Downstream and Gas), which conducted the screening of the nominees.
The screening and subsequent confirmation of Mohammed and Eyesan for the positions followed their nominations by President Bola Tinubu, who sought legislative approval for the appointments in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.
Mohammed and Eyesan’s nomination as new chief executives of both agencies followed the resignations of the Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, and his counterpart at the NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, which the Presidency announced on Wednesday, December 17.
The Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Kawu Sumaila, who presented the report, explained that the nominations were referred to the relevant committees following the plenary session on Thursday, December 18.
He noted that Sections 2 and 29 of the PIA 2021 establish NUPRC and NMDPRA, respectively, while Sections 11(3) and 34(3) of the Act empower the president to appoint their chief executives, subject to senate confirmation, for a renewable five-year term.
Sumaila said that the joint committee conducted an extensive screening exercise, which included interactive sessions with the nominees to assess their qualifications, professional competence, and responses to questions from lawmakers.
The Senate consequently dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Following voice votes, the lawmakers unanimously approved the confirmation of both nominees and adopted the committee’s recommendations at plenary.
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, commended the joint committee for what he described as a thorough and timely exercise despite the limited time available.
