The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in a bid to address the inconsistencies and complexities of navigating regulations has began move to harmonise some regulations guiding operations of sector.
Speaking during the stakeholders consultation forum in Abuja on Tuesday, Ogbugo Ukoha, the executive director, Distribution System, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure (DSSRI) explained that the proposed 2025 Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Safety and Environmental Regulations (Safety and Environmental Regulations) consolidates three of the Authority’s earlier published Regulations into a single document.
According to him, Section 33 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provide for the effect that the Authority may make regulations for all activities relating to midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.
The consolidation process according to him is aimed to drive the elimination of inconsistencies and repetitions across multiple regulations; and engender further compliance with the PIA and Regulations made thereto.
He said, “The consolidation process has enabled the Authority to reduce the complexities of navigating and implementing the Authority’s numerous Regulations, streamline all activities concerning health, safety, and environmental operations, including decommissioning and abandonment in the midstream and downstream petroleum industry, eliminate inconsistencies and repetitions across multiple Regulations and engender further compliance with the PIA and Regulations made thereto.
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“These Regulations are to be read in conjunction with other Regulations made by the Authority including the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Fees Regulations, 2024 which provide for the prescribed fees for midstream and downstream petroleum activities”, he said.
In his remarks, Joseph Tolorunse, the legal adviser, NMDPRA said that the move will promote the ‘ease of doing business in the sector as well as provide opportunity to amend some parts of the existing regulations.
The regulations according to him, provides the safety and environmental standards to be observed during midstream and downstream petroleum operations. For him, the regulations will regulate safety and occupational health practices in the Nigerian midstream and downstream petroleum operations; ensure rehabilitatilon or management of negative environmental impacts arising from midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
“So the regulations borders on safety regulations, abandonment and decommissioning regulations, and environmental regulations.
“So we decided to consolidate these three regulations into one, that one is called Mainstream and Downstream Safety and Environmental Regulations.
The reason why we decided to consolidate is mainly because we want to have one single regulation. So that it will be easy to refer to, so that it will also be easy for doing business.
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“Just because of the engagement we’ve had and because of the suggestions and comments we received of those regulations. We also use it as an opportunity to review it. So in reviewing it, we have consolidated the three regulations into one so that we don’t have a replete of many regulations in the industry,” he said.
He explained that the consolidation is in furtherance of the Authority’s move into an era of self-regulation while the Ajency just monitor activities of operators.
“We hope we will get to that point as long as we are transparent in all our dealings, we are also very faithful. We will see that the industry moves to self-regulation. So that when the operator tells you, I have done this, I have done that and you don’t believe he has done it. Maybe occasionally you just go and check and make sure.
“That is an era of self-regulation. When we reduce our regulations and consolidate them, it’s easier for us to also follow up.”
