President Bola Tinubu has nominated six executive directors for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), as part of efforts to reconstitute the agency’s leadership and strengthen its regulatory oversight.
The nominations, which were conveyed to the Senate in a letter by the President, comprise three returning executive directors and three new nominees.
The President has requested the Senate to consider and confirm the nominations to enable the appointees to serve a five-year tenure.
The three executive directors nominated for another term are Mr Abiodun Adeniji, 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.
The new nominees are Mr Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa, who has been nominated as Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure; Ms Ogechukwu Modie, Executive Director, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning; and Mr Said Abutalib, Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration.
Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite consideration of the nominations to ensure institutional continuity and strengthen the Authority’s capacity to discharge its regulatory responsibilities.
In a related development, the President has approved the appointment of Mrs Jumoke Gafar as Secretary to the Board/Authority and Legal Adviser of the NMDPRA.
Her appointment is, however, subject to the completion of the statutory processes prescribed under Section 46 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The latest appointments come months after Tinubu appointed Engr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the chief executive of the regulatory agency in April.
The NMDPRA is responsible for regulating Nigeria’s midstream and downstream petroleum operations, including gas processing, transportation, storage, distribution and petroleum product supply.