In a bid to bolster accessibility to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for consumers, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has issued a directive compelling petrol marketers to integrate CNG points at their filling stations.
During a recent meeting with key oil marketing companies in Abuja, Engr Farouk Ahmed, CEO of NMDPRA, emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing the reliance on petrol and promoting CNG as a viable alternative. Ahmed stated that henceforth, new retail license applications would require the inclusion of CNG points.
Ahmed highlighted the importance of addressing the supply side, collaborating with producing companies, the NUPRC, NNPC Limited, and the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN) to ensure competitive pricing and availability of CNG. He urged companies to invest in CNG infrastructure to align with the government’s vision of transitioning towards CNG for mobility.
Regarding the recent petrol shortage, Ahmed attributed it to logistical challenges faced by NNPC Limited in transporting products from offshore to onshore depots. While advocating for local refining to reduce imports, he clarified that the government would not compel marketers to purchase from Dangote Refinery, citing it as a commercial decision.
The NMDPRA reassured marketers of adequate supply and emphasized its support for local industry development, urging marketers to consider local refineries while affirming their role as regulators committed to ensuring national supply stability.”
