The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has tightened oversight of gas and liquid petroleum retail outlets, warning operators that strict compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, and safety standards is non-negotiable.
At a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Abuja, the Authority reviewed operational benchmarks across filling stations and gas retail facilities in the North-Central zone.
Speaking, NMDPRA Regional Coordinator, North-Central, Hajiya Maijiddah Abdulkadir, underscored the legal and operational obligations of operators.
She emphasized “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.”
The session spotlighted critical compliance areas including pump calibration accuracy, LPG dispensing protocols, storage tank integrity testing, fire safety systems, environmental safeguards and enforcement of approved operating licences.
Industry stakeholders comprising marketers, station operators and gas retailers, raised concerns over regulatory bottlenecks, inspection timelines and the need for continuous technical training to improve compliance levels.
The Regulator, however, stressed that accurate pump calibration and strict LPG handling standards are central to consumer protection and public safety.
The meeting reinforced the Authority’s commitment to transparent regulation, product quality assurance and safe retail operations across Nigeria’s downstream petroleum landscape.
According to the Authority, the engagement serves as a strategic alignment platform to ensure operators keep pace with evolving regulatory expectations, particularly as gas adoption expands nationwide.
The authority further noted that sustained enforcement of PIA provisions and HSSE standards was critical to minimizing accidents, protecting consumers and strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s downstream fuel and gas market.
SOURCE: sweetcrudereports.com