By Chukwuemeka Umesi
Kindly share this news
As the controversy surrounding the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s (NMDPRA) stance on fuel importation continues to unfold, industry stakeholders have begun to share their thoughts on the matter.
Clement Isong, Executive Secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, described the NMDPRA’s comments as “clear and direct.” He emphasized the need for open and direct communication from the regulator to help the public understand the issues at hand.
However, not all stakeholders agree with the NMDPRA’s stance. Ukadike Chinedu, National Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria, and NMDPRA for allegedly frustrating indigenous refiners.
He argued that the IOCs and NNPC were not supplying enough crude to the Dangote refinery and modular refineries, making it difficult for them to produce refined products.Meanwhile, a group of former Group Managing Directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (now Company Limited) has expressed concern over the limited information on NNPCL’s operations in the public domain since its transition to a private commercial entity. The former GMDs met with the current Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mele Kyari, during a CEO forum in Abuja and
commended the company for its achievements but raised concerns about its limited public information.The former GMDs, including Chief Chamberlain Oyibo, Dr. Gaius Obaseki, Funsho Kupolokun, Abubakar Yar’adua, Austen Oniwon, and Andrew Yakubu, noted that the limited information has led to
misleading commentary, which they believe is not in tandem with the strides achieved by the company.As the debate continues, it is clear that industry stakeholders have varying opinions on the NMDPRA’s stance on fuel importation and the operations of NNPCL.
While some support the regulator’s efforts to ensure energy security, others argue that the government’s policies are undermining the growth and development of indigenous refiners.