Reps seek consensus between importers, refiners on downstream reforms

The lawmakers said the meeting aimed to strengthen Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and ensure a steady fuel supply. The post Reps seek truce between fuel importers, local refiners over supply security appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria. By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has begun efforts to resolve differences between petroleum importers and domestic refiners as part of measures to strengthen Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector.

The committee on Tuesday held an interactive session with key industry stakeholders, including the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), to deliberate on reforms aimed at ensuring stable fuel supply and attracting investment. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, said the House was committed to promoting inclusive legislation through dialogue and consultation rather than confrontation. “We are here not to interrogate, not to accuse and not to put anyone on trial.

We are here to talk to one another as partners who share one common destiny — a Nigeria where energy is affordable, supply is stable and no citizen suffers because petroleum products are out of reach,” he said. Ugochinyere stressed that no major policy affecting the downstream sector would be developed without input from operators whose investments sustain the nation’s fuel supply chain. He said Nigeria was at a critical stage in its energy sector transformation, with increasing domestic refining capacity, changing import patterns and renewed efforts to improve pipeline security and distribution infrastructure.

The lawmaker noted that marketers and depot operators remain critical links between government policies and consumers, warning that disruptions in the supply chain could have serious economic consequences. He assured stakeholders that legislative interventions would focus on encouraging investment, supporting domestic refining, promoting competition and ensuring uninterrupted access to affordable petroleum products. Presenting DAPPMAN’s position, its Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to establish clear operating-stock guidelines as provided under Section 182 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

He said the guidelines should provide transparent standards for stock measurement, reporting, quality assurance and accessibility.