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Tag: NMDPRA

  • Fuel consumption in Nigeria drops by 16%

    Fuel consumption in Nigeria drops by 16%

    The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has reported a significant decline in fuel consumption for June 2025, with total fuel evacuation falling to 1.44 billion litres.

    The Director of Public Affairs, NMDPRA, George Ene-Ita confirmed in a report on Wednesday that daily fuel consumption had averaged 48 million litres, correcting earlier reports that suggested a lower figure of 38.94 million litres.

    Ene-Ita said that the total fuel evacuation for June was precisely 1,440,768,129 litres, representing a 16.42 per cent decrease, compared to May’s total supply of 1,768,812,804 litres, a drop of over 290 million litres.

    According to him, the figure represents a daily average evacuation of 48,025,604 litres, which is obtained by dividing the total monthly volume by the 30 days in the month under review.

    Breaking down the fuel supply figures, the NMDPRA reports stated that in June the Automobile Gas Oil (AGO) called diesel, saw a slight increase in diesel supply by 1.73 per cent, reaching 432.18 million litres compared to May’s 424.83 million litres.

    In spite of this, diesel distribution (truck-out) declined by 23.23 per cent falling from 552.35 million litres in May to 424.06 million litres in June.

    It further showed that the Household Kerosene (HHK) supply and distribution both recorded a 13 per cent decrease, with June figures at 7.79 million litres, down from nearly nine million litres in May.

    The sharpest decline was seen in automotive gasoline supply, which dropped by nearly 48 per cent from 72.36 million litres in May to 37.66 million litres in June.

    Distribution also fell by 16.54 per cent within the same period.

    The NMDPRA’s report also detailed fuel truck-out volumes to individual states, totalling the 1.44 billion litres evacuated in June.

    The report showed that Lagos received the highest volume at 205.66 million litres, followed by Ogun with 88.69 million litres, the Federal Capital Territory with 77.51 million litres, and Oyo with 72.81 million litres.

    The decline in overall supply and distribution suggests continued challenges in the petroleum midstream and downstream sectors, impacting national fuel consumption patterns in June.

    The NMDPRA, however, pledged to work closely with relevant stakeholders to strengthen distribution and guarantee uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the country.

  • Reps dismiss petitions for NMDPRA CEO’s sack

    Reps dismiss petitions for NMDPRA CEO’s sack

    The House Committee on Petroleum Downstream sector has dismissed petitions demanding the sack of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed.

    The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere said this at a News conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Ugochinyere said  the committee after considering laudable results of the NMDPRA under  Ahmed’s leadership, dismissed   petitions,  calling for his sack.

    He restated commitment of the  committee to sustainable economic development through unbiased oversight duties.

    The lawmaker also expressed worry over the alleged proposals of the government to sell some of the country’s refineries after spending so much money to revive them.

    Ugochinyere affirmed the committee’s dedication to transparency and accountability, promising a detailed investigation into the alleged proposals.

    He said that the committee would interrogate the reason behind the delay in turning  around maintenance of the refineries.

    Ugochinyere, who expressed  determination of the committee to make the petroleum downstream sector work, said they would address complaints made by modular refineries.

    According to him, we observed complaints from modular refineries about the bottlenecks in accessing crude to carry out their refinery activities.

    The committee chairman assured of a legislative framework where all stakeholders would be carried along for a sustainable energy stability.

    He,  however, revealed plans by the committee to hold annual downstream Petroleum week for interactions with stakeholders on the way forward.

    NMDPRA  is mandated to regulate and monitor the midstream and downstream operations of the petroleum industry in Nigeria.

  • NMDPRA denies wrongdoing, insists its financial go through regular scrutiny by auditors, fiscal regulators, NASS 

    NMDPRA denies wrongdoing, insists its financial go through regular scrutiny by auditors, fiscal regulators, NASS 

    The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has denied any wrongdoing and asserted that its financial operations undergo regular scrutiny by external and international auditors, the Federal Government’s fiscal regulators, and the relevant committees of the National Assembly.  

    It, therefore, dismissed allegations of corruption against its Chief Executive, Engr Farouk Ahmed by faceless groups. 

    In a statement by the Public Affairs Department of the NMDPRA, the Authority challenged the accusers to present verifiable documents to back 

    NMDPRA maintained that the calls are devoid of any specific claims of wrongdoing, consisting only of bold declarations lacking substance or detail adding this highlights the frivolity of the campaign.

    The statement reed in part: “The Authority wishes to state unequivocally, and for the avoidance of doubt, that the allegations being peddled are false, without merit, and bereft of any factual foundation. The absence of specific claims or verifiable details is, in itself, a clear indication of their falsity and a strong signal that these efforts are not driven by any genuine concern for accountability.”

    It added that the NMDPRA is an institution anchored on the principles of transparency, accountability and compliance. 

    “Our fiscal and financial activities are subjected to the highest levels of regulatory scrutiny, not only internally but also through periodic assessments by external auditors of international repute, as well as oversight from the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and the Office of the Accountant-General. In addition, the National Assembly, through its relevant committees, examines every aspect of our budgetary provisions and expenditure lines. Under such a rigorous accountability framework, it is inconceivable that any credible allegation of misappropriation or abuse of office could escape detection, let alone persist without redress,” it said. 

    The Authority stressed that it finds it curious that a group hitherto unknown to legal or civil society circles would suddenly emerge with expensively printed banners, professionally produced placards and instant access to the media. 

    It added that the expensive venture the campaign of calumny has assumed shows that the resources that are far from spontaneous in either cost or coordination.    

    “Such energy, if truly in service of the public interest, would have been better directed toward seeking clarifications through existing institutional channels,” it said. 

    While the Authority insisted that it welcomes demands for transparency and accountability, as provided for under the Freedom of Information Act and reflected in its operations, it believes that such engagements must follow due process. 

    It stated: “We remain open and willing to collaborate with any group that is genuinely committed to the public interest. If the organisers of these protests and publications were truly concerned about good governance, they would have approached the Authority through the established accountability mechanisms. Their choice to bypass these channels and stage public spectacle only reinforces what discerning members of the public already suspect. This is not a protest. It is a production, and the script appears to serve vested interests unsettled by the reforms being implemented in the midstream and downstream sectors of our petroleum industry.” 

     It noted that Ahmed’s leadership has prioritised efficiency, transparency and the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (2021), which seeks to sanitise the sector and ensure the equitable distribution of petroleum products nationwide. 

    It added that the efforts of the Authority under his stewardship have enhanced operational stability, expanded access to regulated information and established a level playing field for all operators in the sector, saying, “These are moves that have inevitably unsettled those who profit from opacity and disorder. We urge the public and all critical stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to disregard these ludicrous accusations. They are the handiwork of nefarious elements determined to distract the Authority from its statutory mandate and frustrate the positive strides enabled by the bold reforms championed by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. We remain committed to transparency, service delivery and the advancement of Nigeria’s energy security.”

  • NMDPRA Chief executive obtained approval to travel, not under investigation

    NMDPRA Chief executive obtained approval to travel, not under investigation

    The allegations that the Chief Executive of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr Farouk Ahmed travelled out of the country without authorisation has proven to be untrue as the CEO travelled on official engagement with the full approval of relevant authorities, and that the high-ranking official is not under any investigation. 

    It may be recalled that in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with reference number 58775/II/319 dated 11 December 2024, directed that all proposed public-funded international travels are subjected to the approval of Mr. President which must be obtained before the expected date of travel.

    Meanwhile, in a letter titled, ‘Re: Clarification on Allegation against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and the NMDPRA’ the National Public Relations Officer of the

    National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, said the allegations were untrue. Ajasa, in a press statement dated 02 June 2025 said: “We have discovered that the issues raised in our earlier correspondence are unfounded, misleading, and do not accurately reflect the true state of affairs within the agency. We wish to reaffirm our readiness to collaborate with Engr. Farouk Ahmed and the NMDPRA to bridge the communication gap between the youth and student constituency and the agency.”

    Further review of the activities of the NMDPRA under the leadership of Engr Ahmed revealed that the agency has achieved remarkable successes in delivering its mandates as dictated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

    The agency has emplaced mechanisms that ensured energy security for the country over the years by ensuring supply of feedstock to domestic refineries, gas-based industries and other midstream facilities. The bold step taken by Mr President to remove subsidy on petrol has ushered in price stability, adequate product supply across the country and eliminated fuel queues completely. 

    The agency has also midwifed the growth of midstream facilities and natural gas utilisation, established cost reflective pricing and tariffing, and provided regulatory support to the Decade of Gas Programme, Presidential CNG Initiative and the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund. Ahmed, who recently joined the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) as an Executive Board member, places high premium on gas utilisation as the tool for industrialisation and prosperity of Nigeria. 

    Just a few weeks ago, Ahmed authorised the issuance of two licenses to the JEX market to establish Gas

    Clearing House and Settlement Platform for the trading of gas, which is the first of its kind in Africa. The NMDPRA is also finalising plans to establish a petroleum products pricing reference hub for West Africa. These are expected to place Nigeria in its rightful position as the regional hub for energy transactions.

    These mark a milestone coinciding with two years of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative administration.

    The Authority has also ensured that its regulations and guidelines are inclusive by engaging relevant stakeholders in framing its regulatory requirements, effectively transforming the regulatory space into a business enabling environment. Another key strategy adopted by NMDPRA has been effective collaboration with industry players, government agencies and partners leading to enhanced service delivery to consumers and industry stakeholders.

  • PENGASSAN seeks justifiable fuel prices

    PENGASSAN seeks justifiable fuel prices

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to enforce a transparent pump pricing template.

    President of the union, Mr Festus Osifo, made the call at a World News Conference in Abuja on Monday.

    Osifo said the call became necessary seeing that petroleum marketers have continued to exploit Nigerians through inflated fuel prices even with the decrease in the price of crude oil.

    According to him, at the time crude oil was being sold at 60 dollars per barrel, petrol pump prices remained high at between N850 and N900 per litre, leaving consumers at a loss.

    “The unjustifiable pricing is due to NMDPRA not being able to carry out its oversight duties effectively. It is the function of the regulator to ensure that Nigerians are not exploited.

    “So we call on NMDPRA to have a platform where they can publish what the price ranges should be.

    “So, we call on them to be allowed to carry out that responsibility. We call on them to do everything possible to ensure that Nigerians are not exploited.

    “If this trend continues, it means that if the crude price comes down to 50 dollars per barrel, we will not see appreciable gains,” he said.

    He praised the federal government signing the Executive Order on the upstream oil and gas industry especially as it relates to the need for companies to reduce the cost of operations.

    “One of the challenges affecting us today in the Nigerian oil and gas industry is that the amount upstream companies spend in protecting their facilities, both on land, in the sea, shallow waters, deep waters, and others, is quite prohibitive.

    “For one installation, you have a minimum of three or four security vessels. You then have to pay for them on a daily basis.

    “You pay for the crew on a daily basis. You have to fuel them on a daily basis. Whereas in other countries, it is not like that,” he lamented.

    Osifo identified the above mentioned situation as one of the primary reasons international oil companies (IOCs) have been exiting Nigeria.

    While speaking on the persistent failure of Nigeria’s refineries to operate effectively, he reiterated the call on the federal government to adopt PENGASSAN’s recommendations made 15 years ago.

    According to him, the recommendations of the NLNG model, where government holds 49 per cent and private investors hold 51 per cent should be adopted.

    “We all understand the politics that comes in when it comes to national assets management.

    “That is why in the past 15 years or more, we have called on the government consistently to apply the NLNG model in the management of the refineries because the model works,” he said.

    He also explained that the union had reached a resolution with Sterling Oil Company following disputes over expatriate staff hiring practices.

  • Nigeria records significant drop in petrol imports – NMDPRA

    Nigeria records significant drop in petrol imports – NMDPRA

    The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says Nigeria has significantly reduced its importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    The Chief Executive Officer, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, said this during the Meet-the-Press briefing series organised by the Presidential Communications Team (PTC) at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Ahmed said the county’s PMS daily importation had dropped from 44.6 million litres in August 2024 to 14.7 million litres as of April 13.

    He attributed the 30-million-litre drop in imports to increased contributions from local refineries.

    Ahmed also disclosed that local production of petrol surged by 670 per cent during the same period.

    He credited the rise to the gradual restart of the Port Harcourt Refining Company in November 2024, along with added output from modular refineries across the country.

    “After contributing virtually nothing in August 2024, local plants delivered 26.2 million litres per day in early April, a jump from the 3.4 million litres recorded in September 2024, which was the first month with measurable output.”

    He, however, said that in spite the growth in domestic supply, total national supply exceeded the government’s 50 million litres per day consumption benchmark.

    ” Only twice within the eight-month period—56 million litres in November 2024 and 52.3 million litres in February, 2025.

    He added that the month of March 2025 saw a slight dip to 51.5 million litres per day, while the first half of April recorded an even lower average of 40.9 million litres per day.

    Ahmed emphasised that the NMDPRA issues import licenses strictly in line with national supply requirements, underscoring the authority’s commitment to balancing imports with growing local production capacity.

    He called for a collective national effort in protecting and maintaining Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.

    According to him, all stakeholders – including security agencies, political leaders, traditional rulers, youths, and oil companies must work together to secure national energy assets.

    ” It takes all of us—government, traditional institutions, companies, and the youth—to collaborate and resist criminal activities that threaten our infrastructure,” he said.

    The CEO also stressed that local government authorities and international oil companies (IOCs) such as NNPCL, as well as indigenous companies, must take responsibility in ensuring that oil assets are protected and maintained.

    “Until we all commit to safeguarding these national assets, we should stop pointing fingers,” he added.

    Ahmed reaffirmed NMDPRA’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the midstream and downstream sectors.

  • NMDPRA sends strong warning to petrol marketers over sharp practices

    NMDPRA sends strong warning to petrol marketers over sharp practices

    The Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sent a strong warning to members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NMDPRA sent the strong warning to IPMAN members, especially those in Ogun State, over sharp practices being perpetrated by the petrol marketers.

    The authority listed some of the sharp practices to include  infractions such as pump under-dispensing and operating without approval.

    The authority also threatened to begin shutting down stations without valid permits from March.

    The State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Mr Akinyemi Atilola, issued the warning during a special enlightenment and stakeholders’ engagement with the IPMAN executives, Mosimi branch.

    Atilola underscored the need for customers to get value for their money, declaring that a penalty would be meted out to erring stations according to the number of fuel pumps sealed.

    “I am not a vanguard of using money as a consequence or correctional measure, rather it should be the last employment of consequence management.

    “However, as I came here, I found out that many of the under-dispensing were just based on per location, per station, per plant.

    “This means that if I close down your station because you are under-dispensing, and I decommission your pumps, it’s only N100,000 you come here to pay. No, that’s not what is going to happen now.

    “You will pay according to the number of pumps that have been sealed. So, if five of your pumps are being decommissioned, you are paying N500,000 because the law says N100,000 per pump.

    “As an executive of IPMAN, please tell your members to work on their calibration, it’s value for money. Make sure 10 litres is 10 litres,” he said.

    He also warned against delay in the renewal of permits, use of consultants by IPMAN members as well as what he described as poor housekeeping.

    Atitola told the IPMAN executives that implementation of  the latest directive on the truck loading capacity exceeding 60,000 litres would begin from March 1.

    “NMDPRA is an enabler of businesses and not a killer, the authority remains committed to driving the five cardinal points of the present administration.

    “The five cardinal points of the federal government are that the government wants to see the growth in SMEs, they want to see that there is eradication of poverty in the land.

    “They want to see that a lot of people are being employed. The use of gas for expansion and utilisation and the growth of our industries.

    “Those are the five cardinal points of this administration and we have to follow suit,” he said.

    The IPMAN executive members, led by the Chairman, Chief Salimon Ajayi, applauded the authority for organising the stakeholders’ engagement.

    He assured the authority of the members’ cooperation to ensure security of fuel supply.

    “We will cooperate with you, and stand by you to succeed,” Ajayi said.

  • N100bn bridging claims: We will not shut down operations – PETROAN

    N100bn bridging claims: We will not shut down operations – PETROAN

    The Petroleum Retailers Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has urged members not to shut down operations.

    This is following the association’s conflict with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over bridging claim issues.

    Dr Joseph Obele, National Public Relations Officer (PRO), PETROAN made the call after an emergency national executive meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Obele said that PETROAN would dialogue with NMDPRA over the outstanding payments of the bridging claims rather than shutting down operations.

    “While acknowledging the frustration and concerns of members regarding the unpaid bridging claims totalling N100 billion, PETROAN firmly believes that a shutdown will have devastating consequences.

    “These consequences include fuel scarcity, economic disruption and
    hardship for the Nigerian people,” he said.

    He said that PETROAN reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue rather than industrial action.

    “The association urges all parties to engage in constructive engagement and good-faith negotiations to resolve the issue,” he said.

    According to Obele, a lot will be achieved through dialogue, especially when parties identify mutually beneficial solutions, build trust and strengthen relationships.

    “A lot will also be achieved if we avoid costly and damaging shutdowns and ensure the continued stability and growth of the downstream petroleum sector.

    “PETROAN also commends President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to reform the petroleum sector, promoting transparency, accountability and economic growth.

    “The association encourages all stakeholders to support and encourage these reforms, rather than sabotaging them ” he said.

    Obele urged the authorities responsible to facilitate the prompt payment of outstanding bridging claims to do so.

    He said that this would help to alleviate the financial burden on members and ensure the continued smooth operation of the downstream petroleum sector.

    He commended the National President, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, for promoting the stability and growth of the downstream petroleum sector through dialogue, cooperation and innovative solutions.

  • Real reason IPMAN wants to halt operations

    Real reason IPMAN wants to halt operations

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to shut down operations if the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fails to pay an outstanding N100 billion bridging claims.

    The Gombe Depot Chairman of IPMAN, Alhaji Abdul Ibrahim, made the position of the association known at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.

    “One year after our last demand  requesting the payment of more than N100 billion owed to our members in bridging claims, the management of the NMDPRA has ignored our demand,” he said.

    Ibrahim said that members of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) mentioned the same IPMAN bridging claims as part of their demands before the strike action would be called off.

    He said that NMDPRA promised to offset the bridging claims within 40 days.

    “40 days have today become months with no hope of our payment.

    “The nine northern depots comprising of Jos, Gusau,, Suleja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yola and Maiduguri depots have become completely grounded over this lingering debt.

    “This debts being owed to us are monies belonging to marketers and which were deducted from us at the point of payments for products, in order to settle our bridging allowances.

    “We have also continued to record deaths of our members, closure of their businesses, retrenchment of staff and the take-over of their business premises by the commercial banks.

    “These are all arising from this refusal of the NMDPRA to pay us our monies,” he said.

    Ibrahim said that IPMAN was giving the NMDPRA seven days to make the payment.

    “As law-abiding Nigerians, we sincerely believe that we have given the NMDPRA enough time to pay us our monies in bulk and clear the bridging claims.

    “But in view of their constant refusal, we have therefore decided to liaise with our sister organisations, the Petroleum Tankers Driver (PTD) and NARTO in order to take a collective action in due course.

    “As members of IPMAN, it is important to state that we also own sizeable numbers of the PTD, and we may be forced to withdraw our tankers from loading petroleum products,” he said.

    He said that another worrisome development was the alleged NMDPRA’s imposition of several abnormal levies on its members.

    “NMDPRA has made things very difficult for us, as they have also subjected our members to paying bizarre levies whenever we deem it fit to renovate our petrol outlets.

    “There are many distressing levies they have forced on us that are not only anti-developmental, but also unconstitutional and we are demanding their immediate suspension,’’ he said.

    The IPMAN chairman called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the prolonged disputes between IPMAN and NMDPRA.

  • Tanker explosion: NMDPRA to review safety procedures

    Tanker explosion: NMDPRA to review safety procedures

    The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it will review its operating procedures to encourage safety awareness, following Saturday’s tanker explosion in Niger.

    Mr Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive, NMDPRA, said this on Sunday when he visited the site of the petrol tanker explosion.

    He said after receiving a preliminary report of the accident, the authority would  carry out further investigation, and come up with measures to prevent reoccurrence.

    Scores of residents were burnt to death with several others sustaining varying degrees of injuries following the explosion of a petrol-laden tanker at Dikko Junction, Gurara, Niger.

    The inspection team included oil stakeholders such as the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), branch of NUPENG.

    Ahmed, represented by Dr Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, NMDPRA, said the authority would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to enhance public awareness to avoid reoccurrence.

    “From what we learnt, there was an accident, and from the accident, there was a spill, and people were scooping fuel. And this led to the incident that caused the loss of many lives yesterday.

    “We will work with the stakeholders to review our standard operating procedures; we should have a proper safety arrangement to prevent such accidents.

    “We have requisite training within the sector that encourages safety awareness,” he said.

    The NMDPRA team visited the Musa Yar’Adua Memorial Hospital, Sabon-Wuse, Niger, where the explosion victims were taken for medical attention.

    Dr Musa Lafaruma, Head, Hospital Services, confirmed that 28 people were brought to the hospital on the day of the explosion, but three of them died leaving only one survivor.

    According to him, many of the victims were taken to other hospitals for medical attention by their family members.