Earlier this year, poor quality petroleum products were consumed by Nigerians as a result of low quality importation by European petroleum refining countries. The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed, disclosed that the Federal Government has begun engaging The Netherlands and Belgium petroleum authorities, on ways to improve petroleum production.
Mr. Farouk gave the information yesterday in Lagos, during his keynote address at the ongoing Oil Trading and Logistics (OTL) Africa Downstream Week 2022. The theme of the address is: ‘Regulating Downstream Energy Transition in Dynamic Times’.
As at February 2022, the nation was experiencing fuel scarcity that lasted for some weeks. It was as a result of importing low quality petroleum products. This experience brought about questions from citizens on NMDPRA’s inability to regulate the activities of the downstream sector, before products got to the market for consumption.
Mr. Farouk also said that this issue was addressed by the Authority, as they have implored strategic collaboration with key stakeholders in the value chain, like Netherlands Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, and Belgium petroleum agency. Other stakeholders engaged by the agency are Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and NNPC Limited.
