In a move aimed at enhancing organisational efficiency, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has disclosed plans to relocate some units of the commission to Lagos.
A memo sent to heads of units in the commission signed by Keleshi Onyekashi, and titled ‘‘Movement to Lagos’’, disclosed that the decision became necessary in line “with our objectives of improving organizational efficiency, driven industry growth and managing office accommodation in Abuja.
We are exploring the possibility of relocating certain offices to Lagos. This initiative is driven by the need to enhance our service delivery, reduce operational costs and make adequate utilization 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, February 23, 2023.
The decision to relocate some units of NUPRC to Lagos is coming weeks after the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) issued similar directives to it employees to relocate to Lagos.
Recall that the former Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources(DPR) which metamorphosed into NUPRC, Mr.Sarki Auwalu, had in February 2021, said that the federal government was moving the headquarters of the industry regulator from Lagos to Abuja for the sake of centrality.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony in Abuja, Auwalu, noted that the organisation would continue to work hard to defend the confidence reposed in it in the industry.
According to him, the choice of Abuja as the location of the headquarters was to ensure the centrality of the regulatory work of the agency and closeness to all the major stakeholders.
“Establishing the headquarters in Abuja is the best for the sector, because the entire DPR stakeholders that need to work closely with the operations are in Abuja.
“We are looking for petroleum resources all over the nation with already seven existing basins which would be better managed from the central point,” he stated.
Auwalu added that as a forward-looking organisation, the DPR would continue to innovate and fully prepare for the challenges of the times.
“As a department, we will continue to justify the confidence reposed in us by government. Rest assured that this building will support DPR’s enabling businesses and creating opportunities for the industry to thrive, using our robust regulatory framework and service instrument.
This DPR is the DPR of the 21st century, a century we use big data and artificial intelligence. Our work requires data to enhance and maximise revenue for the country.’’