The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has introduced that it could quickly start license issuance for lubricant importation, in a bid to eradicate substandard merchandise into the nation.
The Chief Government of NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, made this disclosure at a stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ahmed, represented by Francis Ogaree, Government Director of HPPITI, mentioned the initiative goals to strengthen regulation and cease the circulation of low-quality and unauthorised lubricants in Nigeria, in line with the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN).
“The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it’s going to start the issuance of licences for lubricant importation to curb the inflow of substandard and counterfeit lubricants into the nation.”
It added “NMDPRA has additionally rolled out the Lubricant Importation Module on the Lube Oil Mixing Plant (LOBP) Portal — a instrument designed to simplify the appliance, approval, and monitoring course of for lubricant imports.”
As a part of the method, NMDPRA launched a Lubricant Importation Module on its LOBP Portal to streamline software, approval, and monitoring. Built-in with the Nigeria Customs Service’s BÓdugwu platform, it permits seamless clearance, monitoring, and improved compliance.
The NMDPRA famous that the brand new licensing regime aligns with the Petroleum Business Act (PIA) 2021, which mandates the authority to uphold high quality and security requirements throughout all petroleum merchandise, together with lubricants.
Ahmed described the transfer as a crucial step in the direction of constructing a clear, environment friendly, and quality-driven importation system that may assist a extra resilient and self-sufficient petroleum business in Nigeria.
Extra perception
The Director of Liquid at HPPITI, Mrs. Ngozi Nwankwo, defined that the brand new necessities intention to eradicate substandard imports, enhance transparency, assist native mixing, and safeguard each customers and equipment.
- She said that the Lubricant Import Licence is an official approval granted by NMDPRA to eligible firms, and solely traceable and compliant importers will probably be accredited beneath the brand new system.
The Government Director of the Lubricant Producers Affiliation of Nigeria (LUPAN), Mr. Emeka Obidike, warned that the transfer might negatively have an effect on current lubricant vegetation and disrupt current business progress, with threats to over 200,000 direct jobs and will discourage funding within the lubricant sector.
- Obidike added that it weakens the lubricant coverage presently being developed by the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Funding and contradicts the federal government’s backward integration agenda.
Ahmed clarified that the initiative is just not meant to limit commerce however to strengthen the business by guaranteeing solely high-quality lubricants enter the market, which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s industrialisation agenda to cut back import dependence and enhance native manufacturing.
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