NUPRC engages stakeholders on rulemaking, vows to create fair-play ground

By Gloria Akudoro, Abuja.

As part of its process in drafting regulations and creating enabling environment in the upstream oil and gas industry, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has organized a 3-day sessions engaging stakeholders in rulemaking for effective implementation and sustainable compliance for all.

Speaking at the opening day of the 2nd Phase Consultation with Stakeholders on Draft Regulations yesterday in Abuja, the NUPRC Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, who reiterated commission’s commitment in creating enabling environment for growth and investment in the industry also presented seven draft regulations to its stakeholders to jointly deliberate upon in time in compliance with Section 216 of the PIA provisions.

During these three days of engagement, the Commission and all industry’s stakeholders, will discuss on the following Draft Regulations:

Acreage Management (Drilling & Production) Regulations , Upstream Petroleum Environmental Regulations, Upstream Petroleum Environmental Remediation Fund Regulations , Upstream Petroleum Safety Regulations, Unitization Regulations, Upstream Petroleum Decommissioning &Abandonment  Regulations and Frontier Exploration Fund Regulations.

Ably represented by the Capt. John Tonka, Executive Commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, NUPRC, Komolafe said “the process formulating the above regulations has been a rigorous and strenuous exercise and hard work by the Commission’s Regulation development Team and the Presidential Implementation Committee on PIA.

“Despite this however, the process is not complete until the Stakeholders’ critical inputs are obtained, discussed, and incorporated, where necessary, in the Regulations.

The Commission’s Chief Executive, however clarified that the 2nd phase in the regulations development is not yet a final one its pursuit to support the upstream industry. He added that the Commission will continue to embark on programmes and policies that will create enabling environment for growth and more investments in the Nigeria upstream oil and gas sector.

Recalled that in April 20, 2022, at the 1st Phase of the consultations with stakeholders, six (6) draft regulations were presented which are; Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Host Communities Development Regulations , Royalty Regulations, Domestic Gas Delivery Obligation Regulations, Nigeria Conversion & Renewal {Licence and Lease} Regulations, Petroleum Licensing Round Regulations and Upstream Petroleum Fees and Rents Regulations.

According to Komolafe, input of stakeholders were incoperated where necessary and out of the six draft regulations, the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Host Community Development Trust regulations has been gazetted while the remaining five have been finalised and ready for gazetting.

Earlier, Head, Compliance and Enforcement, NUPRC, Dr. Joseph Tolorunse, stressed that the forum creates an avenue to listen to stakeholders views about the and to secure their buy-in of the Regulation for smooth implementation of the PIA.

“With this procedure of rulemaking, it is believed that concesus will be built, trust between the regulators and the regulated entities will improve and ultimately the regulation will be easier to implement and sustained,” said Tolorunse.

He however, appluad the time effort of the Commission’s Chief Executive for his relentless commitment and determination to implement with speed PIA provision and ensuring that a vital structure and constructive relationship is built within the Nigeria oil and gas industry.