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Tag: NIGERIAN MIDSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM PETROLEUM REGULATORY AUTHORITY

  • FG bans 60,000-litre petrol motor tankers from March 1

    FG bans 60,000-litre petrol motor tankers from March 1

    The Nigerian government has announced that petroleum tankers with up to 60,000 litres capacity will no longer be allowed on the roads starting March 1. 

    This decision aims to reduce road accidents involving heavy-duty fuel trucks.

    Ahmed Farouk, head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), made this known in Abuja after a meeting with key stakeholders, including security agencies and transport unions. 

    He added that by the last quarter of 2025, tankers with a 45,000-litre capacity would also be restricted from loading fuel.

    The ban follows concerns over frequent accidents linked to overloaded fuel tankers. 

    Officials stressed that all stakeholders had agreed to enforce safer transportation of petroleum products nationwide.

    Farouk also dismissed concerns about fuel quality in Nigeria, assuring that all petroleum products meet strict regulatory standards before distribution.

     He said reports questioning fuel quality were misleading and lacked scientific backing.

    He further explained that local refineries contribute less than half of Nigeria’s daily petrol supply, with the rest being imported. 

    Since fuel subsidies were removed, daily petrol consumption has dropped from 66 million litres to around 50 million litres.

    T The regulator assured Nigerians that measures are in place to maintain a steady fuel supply across the country.

  • Nigeria’s has added 186 new CNG conversion centres – NMDPRA

    Nigeria’s has added 186 new CNG conversion centres – NMDPRA

    The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said it has established 186 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centres nationwide.

    NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed says this represents a surge in conversion capacity of 2,500% as at the end of 2024.

    Mr. Farouk Ahmed said this on Thursday in Abuja at the inaugural Petroleum Industry Stakeholders’ Forum, organised by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    Ahmed said that NMDPRA supported the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) by stimulating 186 new conversion centers which triggered the county’s conversion capacity.

    READ ALSO: Grow Nigeria first: advocates Trade Minister Oduwole

    “The NMDPRA will continue to collaborate with the PCNGI to ensure deployment of CNG infrastructure in major cities of Lagos and Abuja, up to 100,000 conversions, while collaborating with states to develop Nigeria Gas Vehicles (NGVs) in other areas.

    “The development of CNG as a viable alternative to Petrol has been incentivised.

    “These conversions alongside new buys have raised the Nigerian Gas Vehicles population to an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 vehicles and trucks, and it continues to grow daily.

    “With over 400 million dollars attracted for investment in 86 and 65 new daughters and mother stations under construction respectively, Nigeria refueling capacity has therefore risen from 20 to 56,” he said.

    Ahmed said that the collaboration between PCNGI, NMDPRA and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) led to the development of standards and the NGV Monitoring System expected to be inaugurated this year.

    READ ALSO: FG to support local manufacturers with N75bn

    “The NMDPRA also collaborates with the SON, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the National Institute of Transportation Technology (NITT) in ensuring that our mobility CNG growth is achieved in a safe and sustainable manner,” he said.

    The NMDPRA boss, however, listed some challenges facing the initiative to include establishment and operation of petroleum handling facilities without proper licensing, permits and authorisations.

    He listed other challenges to include poor collaborations for Open/ third party access to facilities and lack of cooperation of some operators for an effective regulatory oversight, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provisions.

    “We implore the industry to adhere to all regulatory requirements, especially as they relate to safety, efficiency, best practices, sustainability, consumer protection and community participation.

    READ ALSO: Benin CNG cylinder explosion: Illegal vehicle modification to blame

    “As we progress into 2025, the NMDPRA will continue to consolidate on its successes for enhanced regulatory oversight.

    “This will include the upgrade of our laboratories for enhanced product quality analysis and referencing, inter-agency collaborations, automation and sustainability in the industry,” Ahmed said.