Buhari Replaces Auwalu As CEO of NPRA, Seeks Senate Approval

• As senate moves to stop illegal charges on cargo transport

By Deji Elumoye and Juliet Akoje

President Muhammadu Buhari has written formally to the Senate requesting to replace the nomination of Engr. Sarki Auwalu as the Chief Executive Officer on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) board.

This is just as the Red Chamber moved on Wednesday to stop illegal charges on cargo transport by freight agents in the country.
The President’s request was contained in a letter dated September 28, 2021, and read at Wednesday plenary by the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan.
The President had in an earlier letter dated September 16, 2021, requested the upper chamber to confirm Auwalu alongside three others as board members of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
In his new request, President Buhari is, however, asking for the approval of the Senate to replace
Sarki Auwalu with Engr. Farouk A. Ahmed as Chief Executive Officer.
He explained that the replacement request was duly in accordance with the provision of Section 34(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
Also on Wednesday, the Red Chamber commenced moves to stop processing delay and illegal charges on cargo transport by freight agents in the country.
The decision to end multiple charges on cargo processing and transport was reached by the upper chamber in a resolution, following consideration of a motion during plenary.
The motion tilted: “The need to streamline Import and Export Cargo Processing in the Aviation Sector” was sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah.
Rising under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, Na’Allah noted with dismay the loss of about N250 billion on agro-export of produce in the country.
According to him, the loss which translates to a ratio of 87:13 continues to impact negatively on the country’s economy.
Na’Allah noted that there are about 16 sundry charges for goods coming in or out of the country – with 16 in Lagos and 15 in Abuja – and many of them being unofficial and illegal.
He lamented that loading 100 tons of cargo on aircraft cost around $35,000 in Nigeria, compared to Ghana that cost just about $4000 USD.
The ranking Senator said: “This has caused substantial damage to the Federal Government efforts of stimulating Capital Inflow”, adding that, “airlines involved in cargo transport have started avoiding Nigeria in view of the prohibitive charges.”
The Senate, accordingly, mandated the Joint Committees on Trade and Investment, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Aviation and Customs to invite stakeholders and Freight Agents to come with acceptable template of processing Nigeria’s Imports and Exports.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, has referred President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for the confirmation of Engr. Mohammed Sani Baba, representing Bauchi State as Federal Commissioner in the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, to the Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs.
The Committee is expected to screen the nominee and report back to the upper chamber in two weeks.
Also, the President’s request for the confirmation of five nominees as Commissioners in the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission was referred to the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes.
The nominees for screening include: Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, Ekiti (South-West); Mrs. Anne Otelafu Odey, Cross River (South-South); Alh. Goni Ali Gujba, Yobe (North-East); Dr. Louis Solomon Mandama, Adamawa (North-East); and Senator Anthony O. Agbo (Ebonyi).
The Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes Committee also has two weeks to screen the nominees and report back to the Senate.