The Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, has said it would relocate some of its departments and units from Abuja to Lagos despite spending N70billion to build new headquarters in Abuja....CONTINUE READING
The commission disclosed this in a memo, titled: ‘Movement to Lagos,’ and signed by the executive commissioner, corporate services and administration, Kelechi Onyeakachi Ofoegbu.
The NUPRC, formerly the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, is a government parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, with a headquarters in Abuja.
The NUPRC, in the circular dated February 14, explained that the relocation was being considered to enhance service delivery, reduce operational costs, and make adequate utilisation “of our assets in Lagos”.
The memo read thus: “In line with our objectives of improving organisational efficiency, driving industry growth, and managing office accommodation in Abuja, we are exploring the possibility of relocating certain units to Lagos.
“This initiative is driven by the need to enhance our service delivery, reduce operational costs, and make adequate utilisation of our assets in Lagos.
“Consequently, we are requesting that each department identify and provide a list of units that can operate independently with minimal supervision.
“Submissions on the above are expected on or before the close of business on Friday 23rd, February 23, 2024.
“This is submitted for your further necessary action, please.”
But an insider source told DAILY NIGERIAN that the directive will create an unwarranted disruption in service delivery and staff productivity.
The source said the relocation from Lagos was done to consolidate the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act and ensure its seamless implementation.
The source further explained that over N70 billion has been spent on the construction of a new head office in Central Business District, CBD, Abuja, which is 80% complete.
“The NUPRC HQ was relocated to Abuja in December 2020 with about 1,000 staff based on presidential directives.
“Some staff later moved to NMDPRA after the signing of the Petroleum Industry Act.
“Presently, all staff in HQ are comfortably seated between the Jabi Office and the Utako Annex. The new HQ Complex in CBD has reached 80% completion, and so far over N70 billion has been spent.
“There is a Lagos zonal office of NUPRC which is fully in-charge of all activities in the zone by Interfacing with all relevant IOCs,” he said.
The source further recalled that the associated cost of moving over a thousand staff from Lagos to Abuja was huge, and taking them back to Lagos would only add a financial burden to the government.
While lamenting poor staff welfare, the source said the commission had been unable to fulfil some of its basic obligations, “like payment of staff salaries, allowances, and other emoluments.
“The commission has also failed to remit staff contributions to cooperative bodies, the agency is also unable to pay medical bills, which caused the NUPRC to be expelled from the NNPC Medicals; where then will the funds for transferring the HQ to Lagos be sourced? The insider queried?
The source noted that the move would validate allegations of marginalisation raised by some Nigerians when the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, made similar decisions.
LagosReporters reports that a similar decision by the CBN and the FAAN, sparked outrage among some Nigerians.
Prominent Northern politicians and groups, including the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, and the Arewa Consultative Forum, alleged that the move was a plot against the region.
But reacting, the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the allegations.
According to him, the relocation will increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs.
Meanwhile, the commission has yet to react to the memo, which has gone viral on social media…CONTINUE READING>>
