ABE SEEKS END TO US-IRAN WAR CRISIS

Abe, who is also a former member of the Rivers state house of assembly, called for an end to the conflict.

“Human beings are actually dying,” he said.

“Our prayers should be that this conflict, which in my opinion is unnecessary and harmful to the entire world, should quickly come to an end so that we can begin to recover.”

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Abe urged Nigeria to take advantage of the situation to strengthen its energy sector.

“If the price of oil is going up, it allows us to invest in marginal fields that otherwise would not have been profitable,” he said.

“If gas supplies are being disrupted globally, this is an opportunity for Nigeria to optimise its own gas production, which will create jobs and new opportunities.”

Abe also expressed appreciation to Tinubu for nominating him to serve on the commission’s board.

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“I am sincerely grateful to Mr. President, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, for considering me and other members of the board worthy of service to this country,” he said.

“I see it as a great privilege and an opportunity to contribute to the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

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Abe said the incoming board would work with stakeholders to strengthen regulation in the petroleum sector.

He said the Petroleum Industry Act provides solutions to challenges such as oil theft and community agitation.

“With the Host Communities Fund, the host communities themselves are now stakeholders. They benefit from production, and nobody destroys what he is eating,” he said.

Abe was accompanied to the screening by Philip Aduda, former senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT), Olaka Nwogu, former senator representing Rivers south-east, and Ayo Akinyelure, former senator representing Ondo central, among others.

Tinubu had earlier written to the senate on January 5 seeking confirmation of 21 nominees for the boards of the NUPRC and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.