The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has frowned at alleged extortions of petroleum marketers by perceived state government agents.
The Delta State Coordinator of the NMDPRA, Mr. Victor Ohwodiasa, in an interview in Warri on Monday, November 11, 2024, said that the authority would not tolerate the act.
According to him, “we have been receiving complaint from marketers that some group of persons who claimed to be working for some agents of the government are extorting money from them.
“We will not tolerate that. If there are issues regarding any operation they noticed is not being done well, they should report to us and we will take necessary actions.
He urged the public to respect the provision of Section 48 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 which stipulated that any agency or government that wanted to conduct any activity within the Oil and Gas sector should liaised with the NMDPRA.
He explained that the essence of the provision was to avoid unnecessary disruption in the distribution of petroleum products within and outside the state.
He cited the section to have clearly stated that “Any government ministry, department or agency exercising any power or functions or taking any action which may have direct impact on Midstream or Downstream petroleum operation shall consult with the Authority prior to:
“Issuing any regulation, guideline, enforcement order and directives, exercising any such power or function or taking any such action.
“The authority shall review the recommendation of the government ministry, department or agency, and communicate decisions accordingly, and decision shall be complied with by the relevant government ministry, department or agency”.
Ohwodiasa urged the public to be aware of the provisions of the Section, noting that the NMDPRA had been receiving complaints from petroleum marketers on the activities of some individuals.
“But for people to be going about in the name of working within the Oil and Gas sector, we will not tolerate that,” he said.
The coordinator added that he was yet to get details on the allegations, including the respective government agency involved in the illegal activities.
“Once I get the details, I will address and acquaint them with the provisions of the law. Such act is termed illegal and is against the law of the land,” Ohwodiasa said.
He said that Oil and Gas was in the exclusive list of the government, noting that whoever wants to invest in the industry should approach the authority.
He reiterated that the NMDPRA was ready to collaborate with investors so long as their motive was to ensure smooth distribution of petroleum products within the state and the country.
By Edeki Igafe
