FG Committed to Sustaining Seamless Supply, Distribution of Petroleum Products – Authority

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has assured that the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring a sustained supply and seamless distribution of petroleum products across the country.

Mr. Victor Ohwodiasa, Delta State Coordinator of NMDPRA, gave the assurance on Thursday during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Warri, organised by the NMDPRA’s Warri Zonal Office. The meeting focused on petroleum product movement within the state and was part of the “Safe-To-Load Initiative,” aimed at reducing truck-in-transit accidents, enhancing truck documentation, and implementing colour coding and branding of petroleum transport trucks.

Ohwodiasa highlighted the government’s concern over frequent truck-in-transit accidents and delays in product delivery, which increase operational costs in the oil and gas sector. He emphasised that the government is doing everything possible to maintain uninterrupted product supply and distribution.

The meeting brought together critical stakeholders, including security agencies, to align on key issues such as the documentation requirements and the enforcement of colour coding for trucks transporting petroleum products. According to Ohwodiasa, colour codes have been established as follows:

• Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) trucks: Light blue with 75 cm height markings

• Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) trucks: Deep yellow and light blue combination with 75 cm height markings

• Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) trucks: Deep yellow with 75 cm height markings

Referencing Section 48 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Ohwodiasa called for continued collaboration, stressing that any government agency whose actions affect NMDPRA’s operations must consult the authority to ensure smooth petroleum movement nationwide.

He also noted plans to reduce the maximum truck loading capacity from 60,000 litres to 45,000 litres to minimize truck-in-transit accidents.

The coordinator drew attention to toll-free emergency numbers—112 and 122—approved by the Federal Government for reporting accidents. These numbers were tested and confirmed functional during the meeting.

Expressing satisfaction with the turnout, Ohwodiasa said the meeting was part of regular sensitisation efforts mandated by NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Ahmed Farouk, to foster engagement and monitoring within the industry.

Participants, including representatives from the Nigerian Navy, Army, Joint Task Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, depot operators, and associations such as NARTO, IPMAN, and NUPENG, actively engaged and asked questions, which were addressed by the coordinator.

Mr. Duke Obaro, Chairman of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Delta chapter, praised NMDPRA for convening the crucial meeting.