Folliwing significant concerns recently raised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) regarding the welfare of staff members in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, the commission has expeditiously addressed them.
The Commission, headed by its Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, said in a statement that it had already responded to PENGASSAN’s letter the day before, thoroughly tackling all the issues brought up by the union concerning staff welfare.
The issues raised by the Union included concerns about pension non-remittance, a non-conducive work environment, insufficient working tools, staff members’ medicals, outstanding payments of 2023 upfront allowances, unpaid staff claims, unpaid staff on-call allowances, and non-payment of outsource personnel.
According to Komolafe’s explanation, the Commission had diligently fulfilled its obligations related to the claims made by the union, and efforts were underway to resolve pending matters.
Regarding pension deductions, the Commission provided evidence of having fully settled all the deductions to various Pension Fund Administrators in compliance with the Pension Reform Act 2014.
The management addressed the matter of the non-conducive work environment, stating that additional working space had been secured in Abuja, and steps were being taken to improve facilities in the Port Harcourt and Lagos offices, which were inherited from former subsidiaries of the defunct Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) when the Commission was established about two years ago through the Petroleum Industry Act, 2023.
Regarding working tools, the Commission clarified that computers and other equipment were procured only from accredited agents of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in adherence to the Procurement Act 2007.
The Commission had successfully procured two batches of laptops for staff in 2023, and distribution was ongoing based on a priority list.
On the issue of medicals, the management assured that all processes were carried out in compliance with the official gazette of the National Health Insurance Authority Act (NHIA) 2022, and comprehensive medical care, including approved overseas treatment, when necessary, was provided for all staff.
Regarding outstanding upfront allowances, Komolafe explained that a funding deficit arose in the 2023 fiscal year due to the mop-up of unspent balances in December 2022.
As a result, staff members’ entitlements were paid in batches net of deductions, and the Commission had already paid a significant portion of the upfront cooperative deductions, with the outstanding amount scheduled for settlement in August 2023.
Management refuted the Union’s claim about non-payment of on-call allowances, stating that all eligible staff had received their on-call allowances as of July 2023, in accordance with staff policy.
As for the non-payment of outsourced personnel, the Commission emphasized that compliance with the Procurement Act required proper documentation, and progress was being made in processing all invoices from outsourced service providers.
Komolafe expressed surprise at the sudden disruptive action staged by the local chapter of the union at the Commission’s headquarters less than 24 hours after submitting their letter of concerns.
He believed the protests might have been premeditated and suggested that the real motive behind the action might not have been solely staff welfare, especially when some of the protest leaders’ commentaries seemed unrelated to the Union’s letter.
The Commission had been actively working to sanitize the oil and gas industry in Nigeria by implementing regulations to address operational and administrative leakages and curb oil theft and losses.
This had attracted intense pressure and harassment from certain dissatisfied stakeholders.
Despite these challenges, the Commission remained committed to its mandate of growing and sanitizing the oil and gas industry in Nigeria under the PIA, 2021, while also ensuring the welfare and security of its staff members.
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