Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has intensified efforts to strengthen operational efficiency, safety compliance and environmental sustainability in Nigeria’s petroleum sector following a high-level engagement with Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited in Rivers State.
The Regional Coordinator of NMDPRA’s Port Harcourt Regional Office, Engr. Owhodiasa Ojiyovwi, made the call during a courtesy visit and first-quarter 2026 Operational Review Meeting with the management of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, where both parties reviewed operational performance, safety records and industry challenges.
The meeting, attended by senior management teams from both organisations, focused on key operational issues including Health, Safety and Environment, HSE, performance, process operations, operational challenges and mitigation strategies, as well as corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Speaking during the engagement, the NMDPRA Regional Coordinator stressed the importance of strict compliance with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards across the petroleum value chain.
He said sustained collaboration between operators and regulators remains critical to ensuring safe, efficient and environmentally responsible operations.
The Regional Coordinator emphasized that maintaining operational integrity was essential to protecting lives, assets and host communities while supporting the continued growth of the oil, gas and petrochemical industries.
According to him, “strict compliance with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards” remains fundamental to achieving operational excellence and sustaining investor confidence in the sector.
He further advised Indorama to strengthen its safety culture through more frequent emergency response drills, continuous maintenance of critical infrastructure, including pipelines, and strict adherence to vendor certification and accreditation requirements.
The regulator noted that proactive maintenance of operational facilities and adherence to industry best practices would help reduce operational risks, enhance reliability and improve overall sector performance.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for Indorama to present updates on its HSE performance, operational activities, mitigation measures for identified challenges, and ongoing CSR programmes aimed at supporting host communities.
NMDPRA reiterated its commitment to working closely with industry operators to promote safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable operations, while ensuring that regulatory standards are consistently upheld across the midstream and downstream petroleum sectors.
The engagement concluded with renewed commitments from both NMDPRA and Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited to deepen cooperation, uphold industry best practices and advance the objectives of Nigeria’s petroleum industry through improved operational performance and regulatory compliance.
