As Ahmad Shakur takes charge at DPR

Since the beginning of social enthusiasm, provisions have been carefully structured to recognise and reward those whose performances thrilled mankind including public and private organisations and even changed communities for overall interest of all and sundry.

Unfortunately, there is vast number of remarkable men and women who have carved a niche for themselves through personal and the official engagement, but these people are rarely recognised and celebrated. Several refuse to make headlines while some either by omission or commission have been sidelined.

The new acting Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Ahmad Rufai Shakur, is in the latter category of these venerated personalities.

Just few days after his appointment, Mr. Shakur asserted that the agency is currently working towards reducing barriers to entry, regulatory transaction cost while enhancing collaborative endeavours as necessary ingredients for creating conducive business environment. This goes a long way to show-case the director’s preparedness to take the agency to its rightful place in the oil and gas industry. The recent intensification of surveillance by the agency shows how serious Mr. Shakur and his dynamic team can go in optimising robustness of the regulatory framework for development and growth of the midstream as an enabler of incremental GDP contribution from the oil and gas industry.  And that Nigerian government, in line with its transparency, initiated the Executive Order 001 Ease of Doing Business and the “7 Big wins” policy by President Muhammadu Buhari is fundamental.

Also, the new director’s strategy of reducing approval cycle, entry barriers and regulatory transaction costs as necessary ingredients for creating conducive business environment is the right foot forward.

“It is in realisation of these critical deliverables, that a holistic automation process, through information technology and infrastructure deployment to enhance global competitiveness of the Nigerian oil and gas industry were put in place.

“To this end, we are focusing on petrochemicals, refining and infrastructure to support gas for power and manufacturing.

“We are also working to incentivise deep play exploration to enhance our reserves growth. We will continue to automate our processes and drive efficiency gains.

“This annual event plays a critical role in highlighting and promoting Africa’s huge oil and gas resource potential to the world,’’ he said.

The DPR boss said NOG provides the platform that brings together stakeholders in public and private sectors, captains of industry, professionals, key decision makers and influencers with strategic knowledge of the oil and gas value chain.

He said it also provides an avenue to meet, share knowledge, exchange ideas, gain insight, discuss emerging industry issues and proffer solutions.

Lessons learnt from this gathering are applicable in the operating environment. 

The theme of this year’s conference is: “Driving Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry Towards Sustained Economic Development and Growth’.

Judging from the director’s robust knowledge and technical know-how in the oil and gas industry, one can safely say that under Mr. Shakur’s watch, the DPR would certainly witness a monumental turnaround for optimal performance.  Mr Shakur’s drive for service to fatherland is demonstrated by his robust base in the regulatory arm of oil and gas as panacea to take DPR to an enviable height. The stakeholders are in tandem with his style of leadership and administrative acumen.

A strong believer in the Nigerian project, Shakur has achieved and accomplished remarkable feats in every responsibility held in the oil and gas sector of the nation’s economy.  Following his appointment, Shakur enjoined all members of staff, the stakeholders inclusive, to redefine DPR’s concept, ideas and structures with astute enthusiasm. Truly, Mr. Shakur, the new acting Director DPR has all it takes to succeed due to his robust experience in the regulatory arm of the oil and gas sector.

Mr Shakur, who was the deputy director, Corporate Services, prior to this appointment, combines exceptional intellect and the vision upon which the DPR was established in the early 50s. The main objective for establishing the DPR is to regulate the oil and gas industry in Nigeria through several activities. These include enforcing all laws involving the oil and gas, implementing government policies and programmes, timely collection of royalties, rents and other regulated fees on behalf of the federal government without hurdle. It is also charged with the monitoring of government indigenisation policy to ensure that the local content policy is achieved. This objective under the watchful eyes of Mr. Shakur is achievable.

The outburst of elation that greeted the appointment of MrAhmad Rufai Shakur as the new acting director DPR may have reverberated beyond the confines of its headquarters at No. 7, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. And for most close observers, the ecstasy was not utterly unanticipated but was compelled by the candour, patriotism and passion the new DPR helmsman has brought to bear in the discharge of his onerous responsibilities for close to 32 which, to a great extent,  justifies his appointment.

Nigerians should be rest assured the mission and vision of DPR will be achieved as Shakur and his management team are capable of distinguishing themselves through hard work, honesty and commitment to the service of the country. An administrator par excellence and a patriot, Shakur is selfless, humble even to a fault, and a team player. It is his philosophy that managers should at all times be exemplary. He is focused on ensuring that the staff work towards the actualisation of the DPR’s core mandate, which is necessary for any organisation to thrive. In fact, he strongly believes the DPR has a serious role to play in helping the government implement its policies and programmes through performing its statutory role. 

Eibo, media and communications specialist, writes via[email protected]. He can be reached on 08168127030.

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