The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has urged the new Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, to prioritise ending the recurring tanker explosions across the country.
In a statement on Wednesday, Lokpobiri stated that during a familiarisation visit to his office, he had noted that the essence of downstream sector deregulation by President Bola Tinubu is to allow businesses to thrive, strengthen the sector, and expand national oil prosperity.
He stressed that regulatory agencies would ultimately be judged by the number of businesses they enable rather than the number of regulations they implement, saying the sustainability of the economy depends on more vibrant, compliant businesses.
He highlighted the need to swiftly address major concerns, starting with the recurring tanker explosions, which he noted have largely been curtailed.
He also assured that the ministry would continue to collaborate with the NMDPRA to ensure uninterrupted petrol supply nationwide, noting that under the #RenewedHope Administration, no licence application remains beyond 24 hours on his desk without attention.
Lokpobiri commended the new ACE and urged him to bring his best as the country’s energy landscape is transformed.
“Regulatory agencies will ultimately be judged by the number of businesses they enable, not by the number of regulations they implement, because the sustainability of our economy lies in more vibrant, compliant businesses.
”The very essence of downstream sector deregulation by President Bola Tinubu is to allow businesses to thrive, strengthen the sector, and expand our national oil prosperity. In my remarks, I emphasised the major concerns that must be addressed swiftly, beginning with the need to stop the recurring tanker explosions, an issue that, to a large extent, has already been curtailed.
“I also noted that the ministry continues to work collaboratively with the NMDPRA to ensure an uninterrupted petrol supply nationwide. Under the #RenewedHope Administration, no licence application remains beyond 24 hours on my desk without attention,” he said in the statement posted on his handles on Wednesday.
