The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has clarified that there is no overlap between the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission.
On Tuesday, NMDPRA Chief Executive, Mr Farouk Ahmed, made this known at the General Counsel and Legal Advisers (GCLA) Forum in Abuja.
Ahmed, represented by Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, said that clarification is required to implement the Petroleum Industry Act successfully.
Ahmed said the law made it clear in Sections 25 and 48 that upstream and midstream/downstream operations regulations were exclusive to Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and NMDPRA, respectively.
“I am not oblivious to the major policy shift that the implementation of the PIA has necessitated, which may have significantly impacted our business models.
“I dare say it might take a while to fully adjust and change our modus operandi.
“You will agree with me that to meet the objectives of the PIA, we require complete commitment from all stakeholders.
“To fast-track the implementation of the PIA, all stakeholders must adhere to the provisions of the law.
“In the situation where ambiguities or lacunas exist, engagements such as this forum must be encouraged to seek clarity and deepen collaboration,” he said.
