The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, has tendered his resignation from office.
The resignation comes barely 24 hours after allegations of corruption were leveled against him by the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote.
Also stepping aside is Gbenga Komolafe, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, announced the developments in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already nominated replacements for the affected positions.
According to the statement, President Tinubu has forwarded the names of new nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
“To fill these positions, President Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting expedited confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA),” the statement read.
Bayo Onanuga noted that the two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry, with the requisite experience to lead the regulatory agencies.
The sudden resignations and nominations come amid heightened public scrutiny of Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory sector following recent controversies surrounding fuel pricing and industry regulation.
ABN TV will continue to monitor developments as the Senate considers the nominations.
