Transfers: Upstream Commission Copies CBN, FAAN
- Sends over 200 workers to Lagos
The Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has reportedly joined the league of government agencies that are moving workers away from Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city over what is been termed “efficiency demands” with plans to relocate some of its departments to Lagos.
According to insider sources within the Commission, the development will have about 200 staff being moved from Abuja to Lagos in line with the exigencies of their job profiles and current responsibilities.
The latest development comes on the heels of the recent decision by the Federal Government to move some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as well as relocate the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) headquarters from Abuja to Lagos.
Despite the controversy stirred by this development and discontent among some stakeholders, competent sources hinted that given the success story of CBN and FAAN in the transfers of workers for “productivity and effective service delivery”, a competent source said; “The Commission Chief Executive (CCE), Gbenga Komolafe has started making moves to relocate some departments to Lagos. He claims that this is to create space for new staff to be recruited based on the needs assessment of the Commission.
“This is not justifiable as the office was moved to Abuja from Lagos not more than two years ago, and a very big new headquarters building is almost completed.”
The source further queried; “What is the justification for such a move? Why are they transferring over 200 staff of the upstream out of Abuja to Lagos at this very time?”
Efforts to reach the Commission’s Head of Public Affairs and Corporate Communication, Mrs Olaide Shonola to confirm the development and also explain the justification for the staff movement transfer were unsuccessful as calls to her phone were not picked up nor returned at the time of going to press
However, when contacted to speak on the planned transfers, the Commission’s Chief Executive, Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, hurriedly retorted; “Will call and speak with you in few minutes on the issue and general regulatory direction by the NUPRC, please.” Interestingly, 24 hours later, there was no response from him despite several calls and reminders sent to his phone.
The new headquarters of NUPRC is a 10-storey building located at the strategic Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2020.
With an initial schedule of 24 24-month completion period, the Complex spans 4,150 sqm with the main building itself occupying a total ground floor area of approximately 48,400 sqm, comprising a basement and a penthouse.
Formerly called the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the NUPRC is a department under the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (FMPR) and it monitors the oil and gas industry to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and laws, as well as oversees the safety and other regulations that relate to the exportation and importation of the products into the country.