In a major step towards improving regulatory clarity and ease of compliance in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has initiated a process to harmonise key safety and environmental regulations.
The initiative was unveiled during the Stakeholders’ Consultation Forum on the draft Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Safety and Environmental Regulations, held in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure (DSSRI), said the proposed regulation would consolidate three existing regulatory instruments into a single, unified framework.
According to him, the harmonisation is designed to eliminate inconsistencies and redundancies across multiple regulations, while also ensuring full alignment with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and its implementation guidelines.
“This consolidation is not just about merging documents; it is about creating a regulatory framework that is clearer, more consistent, and more enforceable.
“Ultimately, this will promote greater compliance and operational efficiency within the midstream and downstream segments,” Ukoha stated.
Also speaking, the Authority’s Legal Adviser, Mr. Joseph Tolorunse, emphasised that the move will enhance Nigeria’s business environment by streamlining compliance requirements and allowing for the review and update of outdated provisions.
“The harmonised regulation will improve the ease of doing business and foster a more responsive regulatory ecosystem,” Tolorunse noted.
The NMDPRA said stakeholder input is crucial to finalising the draft regulation, which is expected to serve as a benchmark for safety and environmental oversight in the petroleum industry.
