The Senate, on Thursday, warned petroleum sector regulatory agencies against administrative sabotage, inefficiency, and a lack of transparency.

It declared it will not tolerate any conduct that could frustrate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms in the industry.

The chairman of the Senate committee on Petroleum Downstream gave the warning during the screening and confirmation hearing for nominees to executive director positions in the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum sector.

He expressed concern over what he described as unwholesome practices in some government agencies and parastatals, including administrative bottlenecks, institutional inefficiencies and deliberate non-compliance with government policies.

“Some agencies are simply not helping Mr President in the actualisation of his vision for the petroleum sector. This must stop,” he declared.

The committee chairman warned that the Senate would not tolerate any action that undermines government policies, weakens public institutions, or erodes public confidence.

“Under our watch, we will not tolerate administrative sabotage, lack of transparency, inefficiency or any conduct that undermines the effective implementation of government policies,” he said.

He maintained that sabotaging public institutions and government policies undermined Nigeria’s future and economic prosperity.

The chairman, however, urged the nominees to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability and commitment to national development, stressing that their appointments came at a critical period in the country’s economic transition.

He acknowledged that the petroleum reforms introduced by President Tinubu were intended to reposition the industry, strengthen the economy and secure Nigeria’s long-term energy sustainability.

However, he noted that the rising cost of petroleum products and its impact on transportation, food prices and other essential commodities had increased the economic burden on households and businesses.

He urged the nominees to ensure their regulatory responsibilities translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians.

“Beyond the enforcement of regulations, you must explore practical and sustainable measures to mitigate the impact of these reforms on citizens and contribute meaningfully towards alleviating their economic hardship,” he said.

He added: “Regulation must not be punitive; rather, it must be progressive, transparent, responsive and people-centred.”

The committee chairman stressed that the nominees’ responsibilities went beyond routine administrative functions, noting that their decisions would have significant implications for energy security, investment, competition and the welfare of Nigerians.

He urged them to eliminate inefficiencies, strengthen regulatory oversight, encourage healthy competition, and attract sustainable investments across the midstream and downstream petroleum value chains.

The chairman also emphasised the need for regulatory institutions to remain independent in discharging their statutory responsibilities while maintaining transparency and accountability to Nigerians.

Seven nominees appeared before the committee for screening into various executive director positions.

They include Mr Abiodun A. Adeiji, nominated as Executive Director, Finance and Accounts; Mr Ogbugo Kalu Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution, Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure; and Dr Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community.

Others are Mr Mobolaji Tajudeen Musa, Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installation and Partnership and Transportation Infrastructure; Mrs Ogechukwu Olufunmilayo Modie, Executive Director, Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning; Mr Said Abutalib, Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration; and Mrs Jumoke Gafar, Executive Director, Board Secretary and Legal Adviser.

The committee chairman congratulated nominees whose contributions to the petroleum sector had earned them reappointment by President Tinubu, expressing confidence that the renewed appointments would inspire greater commitment and improved performance.

He said the screening exercise was part of the Senate’s constitutional responsibility to ensure that individuals appointed to public offices possessed the requisite qualifications, professional competence, relevant experience and integrity.

He stressed that the National Assembly would continue to scrutinise public appointments to ensure that the leadership of petroleum institutions reflected the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.

“The responsibility before you is enormous, and the expectations of Nigerians are equally high,” he said.

He urged the nominees to justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering on their respective mandates, adding that patriotism, competence, integrity and dedication were essential to building a petroleum sector capable of driving national development and economic prosperity. (The Nation)