Allegations against our CEE smear campaign, unsubstantiated – NUPRC

Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has described allegations against its Chief Executive of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe as a campaign by some individuals to smear his reputation. The Commission in a statement Thursday in Abuja, said the allegations were not only malicious and completely false, but were libelous and unsubstantiated. NUPRC Staff had barricaded the gate of the Commission demanding the immediate sack of Gbenga Komolafe, alleging he was using his position to engage in fraudulent activities. According to the workers, Komolafe is said to be engaged in illegal recruitment, and a lack of regard for workers’ welfare, among others. The protesting members of staff had dressed in black and red attire, in their hundreds to besiege and place a casket bearing ‘RIP Fraud’ at the main entrance to the NUPRC complex. The Commission stated that the sum of N10 billion alleged to have been misappropriated with N4 billion donated to political parties under Komolafe, was completely false, daring the protesting workers to publish details of the transaction. “The purveyor of the falsehood is challenged to publish details of the account of the Commission from where the donations originated from and the accounts of the political parties involved where the N4 billion and N6 billion was deposited,” the statement said. The Commission stated that every employment exercise followed due process. According to the Commission, the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 empowers the board of the Commission to appoint, promote and remuneration. It added that statutorily, the Federal Character Commission regulates compliance with statutory procedure with regards to recruitment into public establishments, noting that the recruitment alleged was done in compliance with all procedures and compliance certificates issued. “The issue raised during the industrial action relates to sundry claims including travel expenses which are paid from time to time in line with the availability of funds,” it further said.

Disaster Management: NEMA, NAF strengthens partnership

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), have pledged to strengthen partnerships for effective response to imminent flood and disaster management. The organisations made the pledge, when the Director-General of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Ahmed and his management team, visited the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar in Abuja. Ahmed said that the decision was necessary in view of the flood forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and other forms of disaster that may likely affect some parts of the country. “With the increasing rate of occurrence and severity of disasters in Nigeria and across the world, it has become necessary for NEMA to strengthen its partnership with the Nigerian Air Force. “This will enable us to save lives during emergencies and promote disaster risk reduction in communities. “The unpredictable rainy season, which has started to wreak havoc in some states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory is a confirmation of NIMET flood prediction. “Therefore, the time has come when NEMA will require the support of the Nigerian Airforce, particularly in the areas of search and rescue, transportation of personnel, equipment and other life-saving relief items,” he said. Responding, Abubakar assured NEMA that the Nigerian Air Force would continue to provide the needed support when required, as part of its responsibilities. He said that the Nigerian Air Force, would avail its 22 Disaster Response Units, located in different parts of the country to support NEMA’s disaster management activities.