The management of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has dismissed as wild, baseless and unfounded allegations by some elements in the workers’ union, accusing it of wrongdoings.
In a statement yesterday, the regulatory agency challenged those behind the allegations to publish details of the wrongdoings and to produce other documentary evidence to support their case.
The local branch of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) had while protesting what they termed, among others, the escalating critical concerns affecting staff welfare in the commission, made several allegations against the Gbenga Komolafe-led organisation.
However, in a response, the NUPRC stated that the allegations were deliberately aimed at seeking cheap attention and disparaging the integrity of the commission’s chief executive for purely sinister motives.
In a seven-point response, the NURPC responded to all the allegations.
It stated that there was no truth in the accusation of inflation of contracts at the NUPRC, stating that the commission approved a sustainable template for the engagement and payment of external solicitors engaged by the commission.
“The purveyors are challenged to publish the account details and invoices supporting the transactions in their nefarious claims,” it added.
“It is worth indicating here that the CCE is not a sole administrator, but operates under the guidance of supervisory structures emplaced by the PIA 2021 and the federal government,” the NUPRC stated.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Network for Good Governance (CSNGG), an umbrella body of 87 CSOs has alleged that some external forces are instigating crisis at the NUPRC.
Its President, Adefila Kama, while addressing a press conference yesterday, in Abuja, said the external forces were not happy with the smooth operations and success stories of the commission whose only job is to implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to the last line.
The group said it observed that the Commission under the leadership of Komolafe, had embarked on laudable reform to reposition NUPRC in the promotion of sustainable value creation from Nigeria’s petroleum resources for shared prosperity.
The group noted that the commission, in less than a year of operation has ensured strict adherence to all rules and regulations guiding approvals and issuance of licensing in the upstream sector.
It said the regulations, within a few months of its introduction have resulted in the transparent bridging of oil and gas products and price equalisation management that have saved the government billions of naira.
Kama, stressed that the commission has been praised for its sterling performance and ability to raise about N174 billion in signature bonuses paid for marginal oil fields and developed regulatory initiatives within a short period.
He said: “The CSOs Network is also not unaware of the plot by a few misguided members of the public who are anti-reform to bring the name of the Commission and that of the CEO to disrepute over fabricated and unsubstantiated claims.”
The group stressed that they have among others, accused the management team of non-remittance of pension deductions, poor working environment, and insufficient working tools.
It added: “This is a misrepresentation of facts, all evidence available to us showed that as one of the most experienced public servants who put in many years, Engineer Gbenga prioritise staff well-being and this is evident in many welfare packages he rolled out for them.
“We know the antics, it’s all about playing the agenda of some external forces who are not happy with the smooth operations and success stories of the commission whose only job is to implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to the last line.”
While urging members of the public to disregard further lies that would be dished out by the detractors it described as anti-reforms, the group cautioned staff behind it not to allow themselves to be used by the nay-sayers to stagnate the Commission.
It also denied wasting money on sensitization workshops and renovation of offices across the country. It accused the union of being out to tarnish the image of the Commission Chief Executive, GBENGA Komolafe and to undermine his outstanding achievements. It also defended recent recruitments in the commission saying the exercise was done in strict compliance with all procedures and compliance certificate issued by the relevant agencies. It urged the public to disregard the wild allegations sponsored by some political jobbers seeking to replace the management of the commission.
(FROM: THISDAY)
