In October 2021, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe was confirmed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Nigeria, Komolafe satisfied the Senate with his kind of qualifications, experience, suitability, competence and integrity, which led to the approval of his position as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission. The establishment of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission would provide a foundation for the stabilization of the petroleum industry in Nigeria. The Regulatory Commission has been formulated to handle the enormous responsibility of setting and establishing the Commission as provided in the Petroleum Industry Act.
The NUPRC was created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as the new petroleum upstream regulatory agency in place of the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Komolafe and his team have the unenviable responsibility of ensuring that they commit themselves and work hard to provide the solid and stable foundation for that matter, that they don’t waste any time because time is of essence.Barely two weeks after he assumed duty as the head of the Commission, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe ordered the immediate promotion of 195 staff of the commission. A long awaited exercise, that came as a smoothing balm in the hurting feet of the affected officials. The 195 staff were inherited from the defunct DPR. Under his leadership, the Commission also unveiled its new logo as it begins operation as the new upstream sector regulator, from Abuja. The promotion was in recognition of the resilience and hard-work put in by staff to meet the aspirations of the government for the Upstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
Apparently, the welfare of staff is on the front burner and will continue to be the focus of Engr. Komolafe’s administration in the Commission. Over the years, Komolafe has demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the workings of the petroleum industry, especially the upstream petroleum sector, as well as the economics of petroleum exploration and production.According to reports, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe has also cautioned the management staff of the Commission against anything that could lead to the stoppage of activities in the chain of production. He explained to them that the industry is a very sensitive one, insisting there should be no distortion of activities. Komolafe and others in the leadership team are coming in at a very critical moment in the life of the industry and the nation. They are coming in at a point when expectations are high. In the international community, this is a very critical moment in the life of the industry. His appointment satisfies the requirements of Sections 11 and 18 (1-5) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. He is a public officer that has kept a clean slate. There are no adverse reports against him, as record checks and other forms of investigations by security agencies did not reveal any negative trace against him.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the editorial team of TheScript Newspaper
