Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State and senator from Edo North, has stated that he applauded the resignations of Gbenga Komolafe and Engineer Farouk Ahmed from Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory body, stating that their departure was essential to the nation’s economic survival.
According to reports, Oshiomhole made the comments on Thursday as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was vetting candidates for top roles in Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory bodies.
The Joint Committee on Upstream, Midstream, Downstream, and Gas carried out the screening.
For confirmation, President Tinubu sent the names of Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to the Senate.
The nominations came after the resignations of Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, a former NUPRC chairman, and Engineer Farouk Ahmed, a former NMDPRA chief, who were both appointed in 2021 under the Petroleum Industry Act.
Following a public altercation between Ahmed and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, there was a change of leadership.
In addition to accusing the former regulator of personal wrongdoing, Dangote had accused the NMDPRA of impeding domestic refining by issuing petroleum import licenses.
Speaking at the screening, Oshiomhole denounced the departing leadership’s “shameful policy choices.”
Oshiomhole remarked, “I celebrated it last night.” “It had to be done. And because of their elimination, I’m still going to have a drink tonight.
Oshiomhole acknowledged Mohammed’s professional credentials but stated that policy direction rather than aptitude was the main issue.
“You are qualified based on your resume. However, qualification is not the problem for me. You make the policy decisions,” he stated.
The former labor leader emphasized that nations intentionally safeguard domestic businesses in order to generate employment.
“Nation-states intentionally protect local industries everywhere in the world, not because they like the owners, but because they want to create jobs,” he stated.
He said that intentional support for labor-intensive companies like refineries will create jobs rather than sympathy.
Weeping for the unemployed will not lead to employment. It’s by helping companies, especially manufacturers like refineries,” Oshiomhole continued.
Oshiomhole bemoaned the fact that policies under the previous administration promoted imports and undermined domestic refining, even though numerous refinery licenses had been granted over the years.
He described the situation as being against Nigeria’s national interest and claimed that indigenous refinery assets were “deliberately stifled” while the old regulators were in charge.
He declared, “Anyone who opposes the creation of jobs in Nigeria and who prefers importation, importing goods here and exporting our wealth abroad, has no business managing this sector.”
Oshiomhole asked the new nominees to prioritize national interest over business expediency.
He stated, “Be guided by what is good for Nigeria, not by the interests of refinery owners alone.” “Our brothers, sisters, and kids work there.”
Additionally, he praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he called “decisive action” in dismissing the former officials, claiming that the move had given Nigerians who rely on the industry for employment and economic stability fresh hope.
During the meeting, Taraba South senator David Jimkuta sided with Oshiomhole.
He asked the nominees pointed questions and jokingly pledged to join Oshiomhole in celebrating the resignations.
“I want you to be very clear with us: what will you tell my kids?” Jimkuta inquired. “What are you going to do differently? What specifically do you think is wrong with the current system, and how do you plan to change the mindset and perceptions that Nigerians have developed?
