The Senate has confirmed the nominations of five Executive Director-nominees of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector.
Those confirmed include: Francis Alabo Ogaree, Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installations and Transportation Infrastructure; and Dr. Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community.
Others were Mansur Kuliya, Executive Director, Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure; Bashir Sadiq, Executive Director, Corporate Services and Administration and Dr. Zainab Gobir, Executive Director, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning.
Chairman of the Downstream Petroleum Sector Committee, Senator Sabo Mohammed (Jigawa South-West), in his presentation, recalled that the Senate on Tuesday, 8th February, 2022, considered President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for the confirmation of the nominees.
He explained that the President’s request was in accordance with the provisions of Section 34(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
According to the lawmaker, the Act empowers the President to make appointments into the board of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) subject to the confirmation of the Senate for a period of five (5) years and may be reappointed for second term and no more.
Senator Mohammed said that the nominees while appearing before the Committee for screening, responded to a wide range of questions regarding the Petroleum Industry and measures that should be taken to reposition the industry for the benefit of the Nigerian economy.
“The nominees responded to the questions asked In an intellectual; factual and convincing manner.
“They exhibited a high level understanding of the challenges, complexities and opportunities inherent in the Petroleum Industry.
“Their knowledge and experiences will be of great benefit to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the oil and gas sector in general”, Mohammed said.
He disclosed that the Committee did not receive any petition against their nominations, adding that they were cleared by the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and posses the Code of Conduct Acknowledgment slips.
The five Executive Director-nominees were confirmed by the Senate after consideration of the report by the Committee on Petroleum Downstream Sector.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
