Lokpobiri charges regulators on business enablement, pledges 24hr license approval

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Ph.D., has declared that the success of regulatory agencies in the oil and gas sector will no longer be measured by the volume of regulations they enforce, but by the number of businesses they empower to succeed.

Senator Lokpobiri stated this while receiving the newly appointed Authority Chief Executive (ACE) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, during a familiarization visit to the Ministry in Abuja.

Setting a tone for the new leadership at the Authority, the Minister emphasized that the sustainability of the Nigerian economy is intrinsically linked to the existence of vibrant and compliant businesses.

He argued that the core
objective of the deregulation policy championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is to remove bottlenecks, allow businesses to thrive, and ultimately expand the nation’s oil prosperity.

To demonstrate the administration’s commitment to ease of doing business, Lokpobiri revealed that his office has adopted a strict efficiency protocol regarding licensing.

He noted that under the Renewed Hope administration, no license application is allowed to remain on his desk for more than 24 hours without receiving the necessary attention.

He challenged the NMDPRA to match this energy and operational speed to ensure the sector remains attractive to investors.

Addressing safety concerns in the downstream sector, the Minister tasked the new NMDPRA boss with prioritizing the safety of petroleum haulage.

While acknowledging that the frequency of tanker explosions has been significantly curtailed, he insisted that more work is required to completely eliminate such incidents to protect lives and assets across the country.

On the issue of energy security, Lokpobiri reiterated the Ministry's commitment to collaborating closely with the NMDPRA to guarantee an uninterrupted supply of petrol nationwide.

He urged Engr. Mohammed to bring his A-game to the role, stressing that the current administration is in a hurry to transform the energy landscape and deliver tangible dividends to Nigerians.