NMDPRA reaffirms FG's commitment to steady fuel supply, distribution
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to ensuring a steady supply and smooth distribution of petroleum products across the country.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement held on Thursday by the agency’s Warri Zonal Office, the Delta State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Victor Ohwodiasa, assured Nigerians that there is no need for concern.
“There is no cause for alarm. The government is doing everything possible to ensure sustained product supply and hitch-free distribution,” he said.
The meeting, themed “Stakeholders Engagement/Alignment Meeting on Petroleum Movement in Delta State,” focused on enhancing safety and accountability in fuel transportation. Key issues discussed included the Safe-to-Load initiative to reduce truck-in-transit accidents, proper documentation of petroleum-carrying trucks, and the implementation of colour coding and branding of tankers.
Ohwodiasa emphasized that operational delays in the oil and gas sector result in increased costs, and the meeting aimed to equip relevant stakeholders, including security agencies, with the necessary tools and documentation to support safe and efficient fuel movement.
“The essence of this meeting is to have an alignment with the critical stakeholders on critical issues that require inputs and collaboration of all concerned parties.
“Some of the areas of alignment are the colour coding of trucks that convey petroleum products within the country.
“The NMDPRA is enforcing colour coding and branding of trucks for easy identification of the product the truck is conveying.
“The colour coding for Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) is light blue with 75 cm height, while that of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) is a combination of deep yellow and light blue with 75 cm height.
“Similarly, for Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), the colour coding is a deep yellow shade with 75 cm height,” he said.
Ohwodiasa specifically drew the attention of the participants to Section 48 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) while seeking continued collaboration and synergy.
According to him, section 48 stipulates that any government ministry, department, or agency exercising any power or function or taking action which may have a direct impact on the NMDPRA operations should consult with the Authority.
The coordinator explained that the essence of Section 48 was to ensure seamless and sustained movement and distribution of petroleum products within the country.
Ohwodiasa, who also spoke on the Safe-To-Load initiative of the Federal Government, asserted that the initiative was aimed at reducing truck carnages on the roads.
The coordinator told the stakeholders that there was a need to reduce the capacity of trucks conveying petroleum products.
According to him, currently, the approved maximum loading capacity of a truck is 60,000 litres adding that with time, the capacity will be scaled down to 45,000 litres in order to reduce truck-in-transit accident.
Ohwodiasa encouraged stakeholders to call the Federal Government approved emergency tow-free numbers- 112 and 122, whenever there was an accident for prompt response.
He said that the meeting would be sustained based on the directives from the NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Ahmed Farouk, that regular engagement be held for sensitisation on issues in the industry.
Some of the participants asked salient questions, which were adequately responded to by the state coordinator.
Duke Obaro, the Chairman, National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Delta chapter, commended the NMDPRA for convening the critical stakeholders meeting.
In attendance were representatives of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Joint Task Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corpsq, Federal Road Safety Corps and depot operators.
Others include Mr Harry Okenini, Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Delta State chapter; Mr Innocent Ejiyere, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Delta State chapter and petroleum retail outlet owners.
