Opinion
NMDPRA: Pioneering Local Refining In Nigeria
By Engr farouk Ahmed
The Engr Farouk Ahmed led Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDPRA had pioneered many activities of the new agency in the last three years , from the pioneer Chief Executive Officer of the new oil and gas regulatory agency in Nigeria created about three years ago, and towards ensuring the commencement of the local refining of petroleum products refining powered by the private sector, the Dangote Refinery.
With moribund government refineries across the north and south- south of the country spread for over two decades, the activities of the regulatory agency under Farouk Ahmed became crucial not only to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, but trickled down to other sectors.
Since the unbundling of the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources DPR by the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021 , that led to the creation of two agencies from the exercise which brought on board the establishment of Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NUPRC, and Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDPRA, the administrative disposition of the experienced leadership under Farouk Ahmed had been uniquely designed to improve the sector.
Engr Farouk who climbed to the top echelon of NMDPRA after over three decades of experiences in the public sector ensured the new agency was not inundated with succession crises and change of nomenclature, but carried out its statutory functions in line with its mandates.
The new leadership also ensured the importation of petroleum products and sales across the country was laced with transparency and accountability particularly to arrest the usual sharp practices characteristics of oil and gas industry and the sales of its products to Nigerians .
The authority rejigged it’s supervisory roles across the country that consisted of states and zonal offices to ensure products availability and sales at the approved pump prices, as against the wishes and activities of black marketers.
The importation of fuel was no longer business as usual as government policy was bent on capability, capacity and experiences in all areas to avoid the pitfalls of the past .
He ensured the completion of the first local refinery owned by Dangote group that will reduce to the barest minimum the importation of already refined petroleum products been witnessed in the last 25 years.
Aside , playing the regulatory roles , he ensured a synergy between locally refined products commenced by Dangote Refinery and the continuous importation of the products to complement the new refinery and to avoid obvious gap and lapses in the distribution and supply chain of petroleum products across the country.
With the capacity of providing 35 Million liters for local consumption daily , the inception of Dangote Refinery will triple to 100 Million per day capable of resolving the incessant fuel scarcity across the country.
Having had the opportunity of heading the commencement of a new agency and overseeing local refining in the country aside modular refineries, no doubt the indepth experience and leadership acumen displayed by Engr Farouk Ahmed in the last three years was an indicator that some public officers in the public service still believed strongly in rendering selfless services.
The need to sustain the tempo through government supports and avoid detractors is to continue to create an enabling environment through government policies that will further drive the activities of the local refining company side by side efforts of government to bring back the other moribund public refineries belonging to the government.
Already government efforts is already paying off with the privatisation of Kaduna and Warri Refineries and the preparation to resume production at the Port Harcourt Refinery before the end of the year.
With the administrative wizardry of the current leadership under Engr Farouk Ahmed, no doubt the idea of importation of refined products will become a thing of the past in Nigeria.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
Ken Nnamani, a former president of the senate, says he did not beg Elisha Abbo, a former senator representing Adamawa north, on behalf of any judge after the ex-lawmaker lost his election case in court.
In October 2023, the court of appeal sacked Abbo and declared Amos Yohanna, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Adamawa north senatorial election.
Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abbo said he was a victim of “miscarriage of justice”.
The former senator said Nnamani pleaded with him on behalf of a judge after he lost his election case in 2023.
Reacting in a statement, the former senate president described Abbo’s claim as “blatant lies”.
“My greatest surprise was to hear him state that Senator Ken Nnamani visited him to plead with him on behalf of a judge for the miscarriage of justice. This statement is a blatant lie. I do not know how Senator Abbo can boldly fabricate an event that never happened to buttress his allegation of judicial miscarriage against him,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have never visited Senator Elisha Abbo at his house or anywhere. Up to this moment, I do not know where he lives. I have never discussed with him about his case, or any case pending or decided by any court of law in Nigeria.
“The only time I met with him was when he visited me in my house. It was more of a social visit by him. At this meeting, we never discussed his case or any case. I recall that when the matter of his political career came up, I advised him to avoid controversies as a young politician.
“The statements Senator Abbo made regarding me and his case are all fabrications. I believe I have had a sterling and distinguished public service career. I am determined to maintain my integrity and commitment to excellence till the end of my life.”
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.