Senate Panel Clears Seven NMDPRA Nominees After Screening

Senate committee chairman Sumaila Kawu warned seven nominees for executive-director positions at Nigeria’s Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority against conduct that could obstruct petroleum-sector reforms, urging them to uphold the law and regulate with attention to the impact on households and businesses.

Kawu delivered the warning during a Senate screening, where he cited administrative bottlenecks, inefficiency and deliberate noncompliance by some government agencies as practices that could frustrate policies and erode public confidence. He did not identify the agencies or provide specific examples. He urged the nominees to demonstrate integrity and accountability and to implement government policies within their mandates.

He also pointed to rising fuel prices and their effect on transportation, food and other essential costs. Kawu urged the regulators to develop practical, sustainable measures to ease the burden on citizens and businesses, in addition to enforcing regulations.

The seven nominees were screened for executive-director roles covering finance and accounts; distribution and infrastructure; health and safety; hydrocarbon processing; economic...