By Emmanuella Anokam
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on Thursday dismissed allegations of misappropriation of funds levelled against the leadership of the commission by its union members.
NUPRC management made this known in a statement issued in Abuja while reacting to the protest and allegations by the local branch of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The union, while protesting what they termed among others, the escalating critical concerns affecting staff welfare in the commission, made several allegations against Mr Gbenga Komolafe, the Commission Chief Officer (CCE).
Responding, the NUPRC management said that the allegations were deliberately aimed at seeking cheap attention and disparaging the integrity of the commission’s chief executive for purely sinister motives.
On the matter of purported illegal recruitment, it stated that the exercise carried out by the board was done in compliance with all procedures, and compliance certificate issued by the relevant organ.
It described the accusation of ‘appalling’ workers welfare as baseless, adding that staff were granted all entitlements and were adequately paid in line with the terms and conditions of service which had been greatly enhanced over the period.
NUPRC said the issue of sundry claims and travel expenses raised during the protest were paid from time to time depending on the availability of funds.
It stated that the imputation that the management misappropriated N10 billion virement and donated billions to political parties was libellous and entirely unsubstantiated.
“The purveyors of the falsehood are challenged to publish details of the account of the commission from where the donations originated and the accounts of the political parties involved where the N4 billion and N10 billion were deposited.
“Equally, the financial source documents (invoices) utilised to make the donations ought to be published.
“There is no way N14 billion can leave the coffers of the commission without trace, especially given how funds are allocated to the commission,” it said.
It stated 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.
According to the NUPRC management, the legal fees paid by the commission comply with the limit set by the Attorney General of the Federation who has the constitutional powers to issue such fiat.
“The framework has ensured that the very best lawyers are engaged by the commission and the legal fees expended are a reflection of the complexity and high financial exposure of the cases involved.”
The NUPRC management further stated that the allegation that it wasted N900 million on “dubious” sensitisation workshops, was without basis.
It added that adequate sensitisation of key provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 were necessary to ensure effective implementation.
“Specifically, justification for sensitisation on the provisions of Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) across the Niger Delta region is apparent due to the high level of crude oil theft and vandalism of petroleum infrastructure with its devastating impact on Federation revenue.
“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 13 slots of sensitisation campaigns were earmarked upon in 13 strategic locations within the oil producing zones and the campaigns are still ongoing.
“All documentary evidence including publications and video footage of the campaigns can be sought and obtained from the executive commissioner HSEC,” it said.
On the claim that it allegedly spent N500 million on renovations, it said it inherited offices used by the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), which was only a subsidiary of the defunct Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
“The appointment of executive commissioners and recruitment of 140 extra staff given the new and added responsibilities of the NUPRC necessitated reorganisation and renovation of the commission’s offices across the country to accommodate its operations.
“Therefore, some of the offices, including those in the zones and fields, had to be restructured, refurbished and furnished to accommodate additional personnel and replace old and damaged furniture and equipment inherited at inception.”
The NUPRC said it didn’t spend N1.5 billion on luxury transportation, including flying private jets and first class, insisting that there was no time that the commission chartered private jets for the commission’s chief executive.
“The purveyors are challenged to publish the account details and invoices supporting the transactions in their nefarious claims.
“The terms and conditions of service as approved by the governing board in accordance with the provisions of the PIA clearly stipulate the classes of tickets for the purpose of international travel for all categories of staff including the commission chief executive.
“It is worth indicating here that the CCE is not a sole administrator, but operates under the guidance of supervisory structures emplaced by the PIA 2021 and the federal government.”
They union had on Tuesday and Wednesday held protests and barricaded the office entrance, alleging poor welfare, non-payment of outsourced personnel and 2023 staff medicals as well as outstanding upfront allowances.
Others according to them include non-remittance of pension deductions from staff salaries, poor working environment, insufficient working tools and outstanding salaries payment, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne
