NMDPRA harmonises regulations to address environmental issues

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in a bid to address the inconsistencies and complexities of navigating regulations, has begun to harmonise some regulations guiding operations of the sector. Speaking during the stakeholders consultation forum in Abuja, NMDPRA’s Executive Director, Distribution System, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure (DSSRI), Ogbugo Ukoha,  explained that the […]

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in a bid to address the inconsistencies and complexities of navigating regulations, has begun to harmonise some regulations guiding operations of the sector.

Speaking during the stakeholders consultation forum in Abuja, NMDPRA’s Executive Director, Distribution System, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure (DSSRI), Ogbugo Ukoha,  explained that the proposed 2025 Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Safety and Environmental Regulations (Safety and Environmental Regulations) consolidates three of the Authority’s earlier published Regulations into a single document.

According to him, Section 33 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provides that the Authority may make regulations for all activities relating to midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.

The consolidation process, according to him, is aimed to drive the elimination of inconsistencies and repetitions across multiple regulations; and engender further compliance with the PIA and Regulations made thereto.

• Katsina slain commissioner: Court sentences 2 to death
• Presidential endorsements, opposition activities raise eyebrows

He said, “The consolidation process has enabled the Authority to reduce the complexities of navigating and implementing the Authority’s numerous Regulations, streamline all activities concerning health, safety, and environmental operations, including decommissioning and abandonment in the midstream and downstream petroleum industry, eliminate inconsistencies and repetitions across multiple Regulations and engender further compliance with the PIA and Regulations made thereto.

“These Regulations are to be read in conjunction with other Regulations made by the Authority including the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Fees Regulations, 2024 which provide for the prescribed fees for midstream and downstream petroleum activities”, he said.

NMDPRA’s legal adviser, Joseph Tolorunse, said the move will promote the ‘ease of doing business in the sector as well as provide an opportunity to amend some parts of the existing regulations.