*Highlights role of NMDPRA in fuel availability, seek balanced reporting in Delta
By; UTEBOR PETER, Asaba
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has called on media practitioners to direct their focus towards government agencies responsible for petroleum product availability, rather than singling out the NNPCL.
The appeal was made during a media parley, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, which gathered journalists from both print and online news platforms, the ongoing challenges of fuel supply and delays in refinery operations were hotly discussed.
One of the conveners, Mr. Tega Oliver, underscored the need for accurate and objective reporting, urging journalists to redirect their attention toward the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
On the delays in the Port Harcourt refinery operations, Oliver clarified that the setbacks are not due to technical failures but rather the company’s commitment to ensuring the facility operates at maximum capacity before its official commissioning.
According to him, “The NNPCL is often blamed for issues it has little control over. The NMDPRA is the regulatory body responsible for petroleum product supply, and journalists should seek answers from them,” Oliver remarked.
“NMDPRA has offices in all states. When you spot foul play, that’s where the alarm should be raised.”
“It’s not just the NNPCL; other agencies should also be scrutinized fairly to foster transparency and accountability in the sector,” he added.
“We’re making sure that everything is in place. Once resolved, President Bola Tinubu will commission the Port Harcourt refinery before the end of the year,” he assured.
Addressing ongoing controversies between NNPCL and Dangote Refinery, Oliver defended NNPCL’s actions, saying, “NNPCL’s role is to ensure that the industry functions properly for the benefit of all Nigerians. We have no issues with Dangote Refinery, and price fixing will not come from us as the market is deregulated.”
The meeting also highlighted the importance of increased transparency within NNPCL, calling for the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, to facilitate better public communication.
On their part, Journalists at the parley emphasized the need for more frequent interactions between media and stakeholders in the energy sector to improve public understanding and hold all parties accountable.
White responding to journalists, Oliver said, “We need to start having more of these discussions to enlighten the public. This is the only way to foster collaboration among all stakeholders in the petroleum industry,” He said.
