Day: June 22, 2023

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has urged stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to fast-track the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The Authority’s Chief Executive, Mr Farouk Ahmed, made the call at a General Counsel and Legal Advisers (GCLA) Forum, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ahmed who was represented by Dr Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, said that the consolidation of the PIA required the complete commitment of all stakeholders to meet the objectives of the PIA.

“I am not oblivious of the major policy shift that the implementation of the PIA has necessitated, which may have significantly impacted our business models.

“I dare say it might take a while to fully adjust and change our modus operandi.

“You will agree with me that to meet the objectives of the PIA, we require complete commitment from all stakeholders.

“To fast-track the implementation of the PIA, all stakeholders must adhere to the provisions of the law.

“In situation where ambiguities or lacunas exist, engagements such as this forum must be encouraged to seek clarity and deepen collaboration,” he said.

Ahmed said that the forum was to engender and enhance collaborative relationship between the authority as the regulator and the legal practitioners in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

He added that the forum was also a continuation of the authority’s drive to constantly engage with various industry stakeholders.

Ahmed said the law made it clear in section 25 and 48 that regulations of upstream operations and midstream/downstream operations were exclusive to Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and NMDPRA, respectively.

He said the NMDPRA and the NUPRC were not performing the same function, as such those dealing with defunct regulators must understand that the two agencies were not the same.

According to him, beyond the restructuring of the regulatory agencies, the law also require the restructuring of companies and operations in the industry.

He reminded the stakeholders that the provisions in the law were not done in isolation but with a clear target, which is the remodeling of the oil and gas value chain in Nigeria.

“This is by creating distinct midstream business entities which had previously been subsumed in upstream operations.

“It is on the above note that I directed the incorporation of midstream entities before Aug. 30, 2023 in line with section 302 (3).

“Such separation will ensure a clear and distinct midstream which has been highlighted earlier as one of the cardinal expectations of the PIA.

“It will also provide a clearer line of sight and focus on the deepening of the midstream, which is one of our core mandates,” he said.

The NMDPRA chief urged the stakeholders to keep an open mind, as the forum would enlighten and provide more clarity on roles and expectations in line with the PIA.

He said that the forum would also help to promote the business and investment opportunities derivable from the licences, permits and authorisations issued by the authority.

“The forum will as well be addressing legal concerns arising from the implementation of the PIA and the Authority’s regulations.

“We also hope to hear from you to enable us understand your concerns as we work together on the PIA implementation journey.”

The Secretary and Legal Adviser of the authority, Dr Joseph Tolorunse, said the authority would gazette four more regulations for the midstream and downstream sector, which would be published on its website.

Tolorunse said that the forum would be the first of many continuous engagements that the authority would host with general counsels and legal advisers.

“The forum presents a unique opportunity for deepening the industry’s GCLAs understanding of the midstream and downstream petroleum sector regulatory framework.

“It will also present the business enabling and investment opportunities derivable from the 2021 PIA.”

Tolorunse added that the forum would address legal concerns arising from the implementation of the PIA and the authority’s regulations.

He said discussions would be on issues pertaining to deepening industry legal practitioners’ understanding of the authority’s powers, functions and regulations.

“Providing clarity on perceived regulatory overlaps between the authority and commission,” the official said.

He urged the stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the discussions, so as to collaboratively create and enhance value for both industry players and Nigerians.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government is set to commence the enforcement of the sanitary law with the constitution of mobile courts to try offenders.

The Registrar of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), Dr Yakubu Baba, disclosed this on Wednesday when he visited the News Agency of Nigeria. (NAN)

He said the enforcement exercise would commence in July, adding that mobile courts would ensure speedy resolution of cases.

Baba said most cases involving environmental health could not be adequately handled in the conventional courts due to the perculiaty of the sector.

“Since I assumed duty in August 2020, we have been adopting the carrot method; now we want to deploy the stick method which is go to the field and start enforcing the law.

“In our efforts to enforce the law, we have stages because we have the legislative record, guidelines and we also have the mobile courts.

“Most of our cases are not cases that can be taken to the conventional courts because such cases need not drag on for too long because this could be injurious to the health of Nigerians.

“ So, we are ready with all that is required for us to hit the ground running,’’ he said.

The registrar said the enforcement activities were part of the council’s efforts to launch the rebranding of environmental health service in the country.

Baba said the amendment of the council’s law in 2022 gave it ” power to bite because we had teeth before but we could not bite.”

Describing NAN as a critical partner, he said the courtesy visit to the agency was to express its appreciation as well as rally support for its enforcement activities.

“We also deem it fit to visit you to let you know about the achievements we have recorded and give information on the roadmap we intend to embark on in bringing back the lost glory of environment health service in Nigeria.

” You are aware of the strategic roles sanitary inspectors played during the days of the colonial masters.

” There was a clarion call by distinguished Nigerians calling for the reintroduction of sanitary inspectors.

” But the dynamic nature of the job and the non recognition of their role at the local government level created a vacuum to make Nigerians feel that sanitary inspectors are not in place,” he said.

He said the council was embarking on sensitisation of Nigerians about its planned enforcement exercise, adding that NAN would provide the media support for the initiative.

The registrar also said the new branding methodology of the practice had been encapsulated in the specialisation initiative for the sector.

Baba, who decried the old practice where environmental officers were ” Jack of all trade and master of none, ” added that its personnel would now specialise in one field.

“With the 50,000 practitioners we have, we have created a platform where each and every single one will decide to specialise in an area of environmental health through the universities we have,’’ he said.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of NAN, Mr Buki Ponle, urged the council to ensure that the enforcement of the environmental law was not too punitive.

” Attitude is very difficult to change but when we preach to people, we tell them the dos, don’ts and what they stand to benefit by keeping hygienic surroundings.

“We also preach to them what they stand to benefit by doing certain things that will promote their health as well as the wellbeing of their family members and the environment.

” With the law and the people interpreting the law, I am sure we will be on the same page.

“In the News Agency of Nigeria, we are always willing and ever ready to support you anywhere any day,” he said.

He pledged that NAN would be in the forefront of advocacy ahead of the commencement of the exercise.

“We are here to do whatever it takes to enlarge the coast, to be at the forefront of advocacy and tell our people the right thing to do as well as focus more on water and environmental sanitation.

” We should also focus more on issues that will benefit the common good which the present administration is pursuing.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Implementation of the e-government 2.0 Master Plan by Nigeria will place her at the forefront of digital innovation in Africa, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and partners have said.

Mr Sungil Son, Country Director, KOICA represented by his Deputy, Minjae Kang made this known in Abuja during a three-day Action Plan Workshop and Forum for the e-Government Master Plan 2.0 with theme:” Building Foundations Towards Digital Governance in Nigeria (2020~2026/13million doallrs”.

”The Nigeria government has shown unwavering focus on digital governance which is a good sign that the country is making technological advancements.

“We believe that this project is poised to bring about substantial positive changes, placing Nigeria at the forefront of digital innovation in Africa.

“As Nigeria continues its digital transformation journey, the e-Government Master Plan 2.0 will set the stage for a future where technology plays a central role in shaping a more efficient, inclusive, and responsive government.

“We also commend the action plan team members for working diligently to develop action plans for the implementation of e-Government Master Plan version 2.0.

“We also encourage participants to make good use of the workshops to shape the future of e-Government in Nigeria and ensure its benefits reach every citizen,”Kang said.

Also speaking, Dr Hungkook Park, Project Manager and Professor at Sangmyung University, Seoul, South Korea while giving an overview on the progress of the project expressed his confidence in the initiative.

“During the workshop, participants collaborated intensively to develop action plans for nineteen key initiatives identified under the e-Government Master Plan 2.0.

“These initiatives encompassed a broad range of areas, such as digital infrastructure development, citizen-centric services, data management, cybersecurity, capacity building, and innovation.

“We believe that the successful establishment and execution of the e-Government Master Plan 2.0 would have a profound impact on Nigeria’s digital economic development.

“By harnessing the potential of advanced digital technologies and embracing the principles of e-Government,

“We sincerely anticipate the successful implementation of the e-Government Master Plan 2.0 which will significantly contribute to Nigeria’s digital economic growth,”Park said.

Constributing, Mr Aremu Ade A., the Director of the e-Government Department at the Federal Ministry of Communications & Digital Economy (FMCDE), highlighted the significance of the e-government project to Nigeria and Africa at large.

He stated that it is necessary to provide an opportunity to establish the action plan, which provides a detailed roadmap for the smooth implementation of the e-Government Master Plan version 2.0.

“The importance of effective and efficient implementation of the initiatives, which would result in a more modern, efficient, and user-friendly government that meets the needs of citizens and stakeholders.

“We aim to ensure that the initiatives are resulting in a more modern, efficient, and user-friendly government that meets the needs of citizens and stakeholders,”Ade said.

Mr Owoicho Igoji, Executive Director, Galaxy Backbone expressed gratitude towards KOICA for their support in the First and Second phases of the Nigerian E-Government Masterplan while noting the importance of continuous efforts by all government agencies to turn the vision into reality.

“We urge all government agencies not to relent in their efforts to make this vision a reality.

“Since the e-Government Project commenced, the government has devoted its best efforts to establish the appropriate legal and regulatory framework for its implementation, thereby building a solid foundation for the digital transformation of the Nigerian government,”Igoji said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria