The Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources has been ordered by the Presidency to suspend its proposed plans to audit the account of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The new directive comes against the background of the lingering crises between the management of the NUPRC and its workers.
Recall, that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) had earlier protested the alleged poor welfare and working conditions affecting staff in the commission and called for the removal of the commission’s chief executive, Gbenga Komolafe, over alleged financial mismanagement.
PENGASSAN had, in a letter dated 30 July, accused the commission of various infractions, including non-remittance of pension, non-conducive work environment, insufficient working tools, staff medicals, outstanding payment of 2023 upfront allowances, unpaid staff claims, unpaid staff on call allowance and non-payment of outsourced personnel.
But earlier in August, the NUPRC, in its reaction, said the allegations were made to disparage the integrity of the commission.
The commission said by law (the Petroleum Industry Act 2021) the powers of appointment, promotion and remuneration are vested in the board of the commission, while statutorily, the Federal Character Commission (FCC) regulates compliance with statutory procedure concerning recruitment into public establishments.
It explained that the recruitment generating controversies was done in compliance with all procedures and compliance certificates issued by the relevant organ. The NUPRC also claimed that allegations the management misappropriated N10 billion virement and donated billions to political parties were libellous and entirely unsubstantiated.
It added that allegations of misappropriation of N10 billion virement, donation of N4 billion to political parties, inflation of contracts to siphon funds amounting to N1 billion, N900 million spent on sensitisation workshops, N500 million for office renovations, N1.5 billion for luxury transportation, including private jets are “false and misleading”.
It thereafter challenged the unions to publish details of the account of the commission from where the donations originated and the accounts of the political parties involved where the four billion naira and ten billion naira were deposited.
“Equally, the financial source documents (invoices) utilised to make the donations ought to be published. There is no way fourteen (14) billion naira can leave the coffers of the Commission without a trace, especially given how funds are allocated to the Commission,” it said.
It explained that there was no truth in the accusation of inflation of contracts at the NUPRC, adding that the commission approved a sustainable template for the engagement and payment of external solicitors engaged by the commission.
“The sensitisation workshops were approved by the appropriate authority in line with due process and duly executed by the Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) department in line with the scope of duties and responsibilities.
It is important to note that thirteen (13) slots of sensitisation campaigns were earmarked in 13 strategic locations within the oil-producing zones, and the campaigns are still ongoing.”
The NUPRC said all documentary evidence, including publications and video footage of the campaigns, can be sought and obtained from the Executive Commissioner HSEC.
But in a letter tagged SH/COS/24/A/28 and dated 1 August, addressed to the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and signed by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The letter read in part: “Your Constitution of a committee to audit the accounts of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has been referred to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation (HAGF) for review and determination of the constitutional, statutory and administrative implications.
“Therefore, the committee is hereby directed to suspend its activities pending the conclusion of the review by the HAGF,” the letter reads.
