PETROLEUM INDUSTRY ACT IMPLEMENTATION: Media and CSO Coalition passes vote of confidence on Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission
*Says the Commission’s Chief Executive has shown unassailable sterling professionalism and leadership*
A Coalition of about sixty media and Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria have passed a vote of confidence and issued certificate of commendation to the Chief Executive of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Engr Gbenga Komolafe esq. This was contained in a press release made available to the press on Thursday in Lagos by the coalition after a two day Media and Civil Society Organizations Policy Advocacy Conference.
In a communique endorsed by over ninety participants of the conference the coalition says the activities of the players at the upstream sector have shown significant and unprecedented improvement, ease and enabling environment for income generation for the nation through outstanding regulatory framework and careful implementation of the recently passed Petroleum Industry Acts under the President Muhammadu Buhari’s revolution in the Petroleum sector, by the Engr Gbenga Komolafe led Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
While reading our the Press release to the media, Chief Convener of the conference and the Chairman African Media Roundtable Initiative Bode Omoluabi says the sharp adjustment, quick adaptability, sound policy, stringent regulatory framework, leadership political will of the Commission have resulted into a stable exploration and production environment and has guaranteed sound fiscal responsibility for the nation since oil and gas remains the nation’s mainstay. He argued that every other sectoral legislations too can work in Nigeria if the head of such sector is ready, willing and able to promote best practices, adherence to regulations, equal treatment for all stakeholders and special considerable legal security for host communities. He said Engr Komolafe has brought rich experience, sound moral standard and unquestionable professionalism to play in the Commission, hence the undeniable results emanating from the sector.
The Coalition says the relative peace, increased production and exploration, sustained host community/players relationship and other legislations like environmental protection laws and others are the reasons for the success story of regulation under Engr Komolafe’s purview. The coalition enjoin the relevant sister agencies of government, Petroleum Industry players, host communities and others to corporate with the NUPRC to be able to perform more in the discharge of their organizational responsibilities.
The group says her fifteen page communique shall be sent to relevant Government agencies for adoption and policy advocacy guideline. Among the CSO group present are Africa Media Roundtable Initiative, Partners for Environmental Protection Advocacy, Center for Policy Advocacy and Leadership Development, Policy Advocacy and Integrity Network, Niger Delta Development Forum and several others
