NUPRC Considers Movement of Select Units to Lagos to Enhance Service Delivery

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is proposing the movement of a number of its units from Abuja to Lagos due, in part, to the inadequacy of office space at its Federal Capital Territory (FCT) headquarters.
The move is coming about a year after the in-house union as part of its demands on the management of the regulatory body, said the office space was not conducive for it members.

It was learnt that even after arrangements were made for another office to house the host community and security units, the office space in Jabi, Abuja, is still too tight for the workers.

As part of the union’s protest last year, it said: “Non-conducive work environment: Substandard office facilities undermine staff right to a conducive work environment, negatively affecting productivity and staff wellbeing.”

But in a memorandum sighted by THISDAY yesterday, the management urged all relevant departments to look at the possibility of moving some staff to the original headquarters of the NUPRC which is barely occupied in Lagos.
The memo signed by the Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services and Administration, Dr Kelechi Ofoegbu, stressed that units that can operate without heavy supervision will be mostly impacted.

Marked CSA/HGA/MRP/ML/001, the memo dated February 14, 2024 and titled “Movement to Lagos”, stated that the deadline for the feedback on the matter would be February 23.
Before now, some government agencies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as well as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had begun arrangements to also move part of their operations to Lagos.

The NUPRC stated that the redeployment of some of its workers will ensure improvement in organisational efficiency and drive growth.
“The above subject matter refers, please. 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 minor or no supervision.
“Submissions on the above are expected on or before the close of business on Friday 23rd, February 2024. This is submitted for your further necessary action, please,” the brief memo stated.

Aside Lagos, it was learnt that the NUPRC also has huge field offices in Port Harcourt, Rivers state and Warri in Delta state, as well as other parts of the country..