The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has firmly dismissed recent accusations of wrongdoing against its Chief Executive, Engineer Farouk Ahmed, describing the claims as baseless and unsubstantiated.
In a statement issued by its Public Affairs Department, the Authority emphasised that all its financial operations are routinely examined by both internal and external bodies, including internationally recognised auditors, the Office of the Auditor‑General for the Federation, the Office of the Accountant‑General, and the relevant committees of the National Assembly.
“The allegations being peddled are false, without merit, and bereft of any factual foundation,” the statement declared. “The absence of specific claims or verifiable details is, in itself, a clear indication of their falsity and a strong signal that these efforts are not driven by any genuine concern for accountability.”
Highlighting its commitment to transparency and compliance, the NMDPRA noted that every aspect of its budgetary provisions and expenditures undergoes rigorous scrutiny. “Under such a rigorous accountability framework, it is inconceivable that any credible allegation of misappropriation or abuse of office could escape detection, let alone persist without redress,” the Authority added.
The statement also questioned the origin and motives of the protest group behind the allegations. The NMDPRA pointed out that a previously unknown organisation had suddenly appeared with professionally produced banners and immediate media access. “Such energy, if truly in service of the public interest, would have been better directed toward seeking clarifications through existing institutional channels,” it said.
While reiterating its openness to inquiries under the Freedom of Information Act, the Authority urged critics to engage through established procedures rather than staging public demonstrations. “If the organisers of these protests and publications were genuinely concerned about good governance, they would have approached the Authority through the established accountability mechanisms,” the statement read. “Their choice to bypass these channels and stage public spectacle only reinforces what discerning members of the public already suspect.”
Under Engineer Ahmed’s leadership, the NMDPRA has focused on implementing the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, enhancing operational stability, expanding access to regulated information, and creating a level playing field for all sector operators. “These are moves that have inevitably unsettled those who profit from opacity and disorder,” the Authority observed.
Concluding its response, the NMDPRA urged stakeholders and the public to disregard the “ludicrous accusations” as the work of “nefarious elements determined to distract the Authority from its statutory mandate and frustrate the positive strides enabled by the bold reforms championed by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.” The Authority reaffirmed its dedication to transparency, service delivery, and the advancement of Nigeria’s energy security.
