The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has urged the public to respect the provision of the Section 48 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.
The Delta State Coordinator of the NMDPRA, Egr. Victor Ohwodiasa gave the advice on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen in Warri.
Ohwodiasa was responding to complaints by some petroleum marketers in the state alleging undue monetary extortions by some perceived state government agents.
He said that Section 48 of the PIA stipulated that any agency or government that wanted to conduct any activity within the Oil and Gas should liaised with the NMDPRA.
According to him, the essence of the provision is to avoid unnecessary disruption in the distribution of petroleum products within and outside the state.
Ohwodiasa cited the Section 48 of the PIA 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 Authority has been receiving complaints from petroleum marketers on the activities of some individuals.
“We have been receiving complaint from marketers that some group of persons who claimed to be working for some agents of 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.
“But for people to be going about in the name of working within the Oil and Gas, we will not tolerate that,” he said.
“Though, I am 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,” he said.
Ohwodiasa said that the Oil and Gas was in the exclusive list of the government, noting that whoever wants to invest in the industry should approach the Authority.
“We are ready to collaborate with them when the motive is to ensure smooth distribution of petroleum products within the state and the country. But when the motive is wrong, we will not have the collaboration,” he concluded.
The Delta State Coordinator of the NMDPRA, Egr. Victor Ohwodiasa gave the advice on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen in Warri.
Ohwodiasa was responding to complaints by some petroleum marketers in the state alleging undue monetary extortions by some perceived state government agents.
He said that Section 48 of the PIA stipulated that any agency or government that wanted to conduct any activity within the Oil and Gas should liaised with the NMDPRA.
According to him, the essence of the provision is to avoid unnecessary disruption in the distribution of petroleum products within and outside the state.
Ohwodiasa cited the Section 48 of the PIA 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 Authority has been receiving complaints from petroleum marketers on the activities of some individuals.
“We have been receiving complaint from marketers that some group of persons who claimed to be working for some agents of 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.
“But for people to be going about in the name of working within the Oil and Gas, we will not tolerate that,” he said.
“Though, I am 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,” he said.
Ohwodiasa said that the Oil and Gas was in the exclusive list of the government, noting that whoever wants to invest in the industry should approach the Authority.
“We are ready to collaborate with them when the motive is to ensure smooth distribution of petroleum products within the state and the country. But when the motive is wrong, we will not have the collaboration,” he concluded.
