iDeemlawfulThe Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The Senate also confirmed Saidu Mohammed as the CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The confirmations came after the screening of Eyesan and Mohammed by the Senate Joint Committees on Petroleum, Upstream, Downstream, and Gas on Thursday.
Kawu Sumaila, the senator representing Kano South and chairman of the committees, presented the report to the Senate on Friday.
Sumaila explained that the joint committees carried out a comprehensive screening process, including interactive sessions with the nominees to evaluate their credentials, professional capacity, and responses to questions raised by lawmakers.
“The joint committees, having screened the nominees and being satisfied with their qualifications, expertise and responses to the questions asked, hereby recommends that the senate confirm their nominations,” he said.
The upper chamber subsequently approved the nominations after Barau Jibrin, the deputy senate president and presiding officer, subjected the report to a voice vote at the committee of the whole.
“The ayes have it,” Jibrin declared after the vote.
Jibrin praised the Kawu-led committee for concluding the screening exercise within a limited timeframe.
“Let me commend the joint committee of the petroleum committee of the senate, upstream, downstream and gas headed by Senator Kawu Sumaila for a job well done,” he said.
“The screening was referred to the committee just yesterday, but they had a sleepless night, they had a tight space of time, through which they did what was supposed to have been done for one week or two.
“They have shown their determination to work for the senate and the entire country, and we are really proud of you.”
“What the president has done is to call them to serve our nation, and they should do their best in carrying out their duties in the interest of Nigeria,” he said.
Jibrin also congratulated the newly confirmed nominees and charged them to discharge their responsibilities with dedication and commitment to national service.
The nomination and confirmation of Mohammed and Eyesan come days after Aliko Dangote accused the former CEO of NMDPRA, Farouq Ahmed, of corruption and abuse of office. Following the allegations, Ahmed submitted his resignation to President Tinubu. In addition, Gbenga Komolafe also stepped down as the CEO of NUPRC.