Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Engr. Saidu Mohammed, joined by a senior team of officials, conducted an inspection tour of Aradel’s integrated Ogbele Facility in PML 14, Rivers State.
During the visit, Engr. Mohammed inspected the Ogbele Facility with a focus on the 11kbbl/d refinery and the 100mmscf/d gas processing plant. Following an inspection of the facilities, he underscored the strategic role of the midstream sector in Nigeria’s economic transformation, stressing the need for increased refining and processing capacity led by domestic operators.
“The midstream is where Nigeria’s growth lies, we can propel national growth through the midstream, and we need more refineries and more Aradels. Our ambition is not just the Nigerian market, but the African continent and beyond. We must satisfy local demand through local operators,” he said.
Engr. Mohammed further commended Aradel’s ongoing expansion in gas infrastructure, describing the Ogbele Facility as a model for private-sector investment in Nigeria’s energy value chain.
“We commend Aradel’s gas extension programme, it is in the right direction of where we want Nigeria to be. This is a world-class facility being operated in Nigeria, and I call on other Nigerian private sector companies to imitate and build on what they are doing,” he stated.
Welcoming the delegation, Mr Gbite Falade, MD/CEO of Aradel Holdings Plc, highlighted the company’s strategic investments and progress in boosting domestic refining capacity and supporting Nigeria’s drive for energy security and reduced dependence on imported petroleum products.
He revealed that the next phase of the refinery is the construction of an additional 10,000bpd Train 4 bringing the total refining capacity of the refinery to 21,000bpd.
He expressed appreciation for the visit and highlighted the importance of strong regulatory collaboration in scaling operations and strengthening energy security.
He said: “I would like to thank the Authority Chief Executive for visiting our facility, which serves as a strong encouragement to us as operators. At Aradel, we see significant demand and a clear market, and our focus remains on making the investments required to meet that demand. The continued support from our regulators has been critical in enabling our operations to scale, strengthening resilience and energy security for the nation.”
Mr Falade also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s energy security agenda: “Aradel Holdings is firmly committed to Nigeria’s energy security agenda through increased refinery feed-stock supply, nationwide product distribution, and increased gas commercialization. By supplying gas to power industries, contributing to NLNG, and providing gas for local off-takers, we prioritize local consumption and the use of Nigeria’s resources to drive industrial growth, power generation, and manufacturing.”
During the visit, NMDPRA officials engaged with Aradel’s management on operational standards, crude supply arrangements, and compliance with health, safety, environmental, and technical requirements.
The Authority reiterated its support for safe, efficient, and sustainable refinery operations, emphasizing sustained regulatory engagement as a critical pillar for advancing national midstream and downstream objectives and promoting a resilient, competitive petroleum sector.
The NMDPRA delegation included Engr. Francis Ogaree, Executive Director; George Ene-Ita, Director of Public Affairs; Brown Bennett, Chief of Operations, Port Harcourt; and Victor Ahwodiasa, Regional Coordinator, South-South.
Aradel Holdings Plc was represented by Adegbite Falade, MD/CEO; Temitayo Ogunbanjo, General Manager, Refineries; Engr. Tonye Wokoma, Refinery Manager; Mojisola Iyamabo, Chief of Staff to Aradel’s MD/CEO; George Ipadeola, Technical Assistant to the MD/CEO; and members of the Aradel field staff team.
