Rep Urges Intervention In NMDPRA, Dangote Dispute

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream), Hon. Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie, has called for urgent legislative intervention to resolve the ongoing dispute between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Dangote Refinery, warning that the disagreement poses risks to sector stability and investor confidence.

Okojie made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at a high-level committee workshop organised to strengthen capacity building, policy direction and strategic planning in Nigeria’s petroleum midstream sector.

The workshop, themed “Midstream Sector Overview and Strategic Future Chart for Seamless Processing,” brought together lawmakers, industry experts, regulators and key stakeholders to examine pathways for improving efficiency, infrastructure development and sustainable growth in the sector.

According to the lawmaker, the dispute between the regulator and the refinery has far-reaching implications for energy security, regulatory certainty and investment inflows, stressing the need for the National Assembly to play a mediatory and oversight role in the national interest.

He urged the Committee to ensure regulatory clarity, fairness and a sustainable resolution that balances private investment interests with national energy objectives.

Okojie underscored the strategic importance of the midstream segment within Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain, noting that efficient processing, transportation and storage infrastructure are critical to industrial growth, economic diversification and energy security.

He reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to robust legislative oversight, policy support and collaboration with stakeholders aimed at unlocking investments and addressing operational bottlenecks hindering the sector’s growth.

The lawmaker explained that the workshop was designed to generate practical insights that would inform legislative interventions and support long-term reforms in the petroleum midstream space.

The conference featured technical sessions facilitated by industry experts, who provided overviews of the midstream sector, identified emerging challenges and proposed strategic options for seamless processing.

Participants engaged in interactive discussions and question-and-answer sessions, offering practical perspectives on regulatory frameworks, infrastructure gaps, gas utilisation and private sector participation.

The event concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks, as stakeholders commended the Committee for creating a platform for constructive engagement on the future of Nigeria’s petroleum midstream sector.

Participants expressed optimism that the outcomes of the workshop, including the Committee’s proactive approach to resolving sectoral disputes, would translate into stronger policies and legislative actions to enhance efficiency, attract investment and reposition the midstream sector as a catalyst for national economic growth.