Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has intensified regulatory oversight of gas and liquid petroleum retail outlets, warning operators to comply strictly with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, and health, safety standards.
The directive was reinforced during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Abuja, Jabi Annex, where regulators and industry operators reviewed operational standards across filling stations and gas retail facilities.
Speaking, the Regional Coordinator of NMDPRA, North-Central, Hajiya Maijiddah Abdulkadir, stressed that compliance with statutory requirements remains non-negotiable.
She emphasised “the importance of compliance with statutory provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, operational integrity of retail infrastructure, and strict adherence to Health, Safety, Security, and Environment standards.”
Discussions at the session covered pump calibration accuracy, LPG dispensing protocols, storage tank integrity testing, fire safety systems, environmental protection measures, and enforcement of approved operating licences.
Industry stakeholders, including marketers, station operators and gas retailers, raised concerns about inspection procedures, regulatory bottlenecks and the need for continuous technical training to improve compliance levels.
The Authority reiterated that accurate pump calibration and safe LPG handling remain critical to consumer protection and public safety, particularly amid rising fuel and cooking gas demand.
The engagement reinforced NMDPRA’s commitment to transparent regulation and product quality assurance within Nigeria’s downstream sector.
According to the Authority, the forum served as a strategic platform to align operators with evolving regulatory expectations while strengthening oversight mechanisms across the retail value chain.
The stricter enforcement of PIA provisions and HSSE standards is expected to enhance operational integrity, reduce safety incidents, and improve consumer confidence in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market.
