The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has convened a workshop with government security and enforcement agencies to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and tackle the diversion and illicit movement of petroleum products.
The workshop focused on improving coordination among regulatory, security and enforcement agencies, while enhancing the use of technology, intelligence and data-driven surveillance in monitoring petroleum product movements.
Speaking at the workshop, the Authority’s Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, Ogbugo Ukoha, said petroleum product diversion poses a threat to the integrity and efficiency of the downstream sector.
Ukoha emphasised that every litre of petroleum product diverted from its legitimate destination undermines market integrity, distorts demand and supply data, weakens investment confidence and ultimately compromises the efficiency and sustainability of the petroleum industry.
He said combining physical enforcement with data-driven surveillance and stronger collaboration among relevant agencies would improve the traceability and accountability of petroleum product movements.
According to him, enhanced inter-agency cooperation would also enable authorities to proactively identify and address diversion risks while strengthening the overall integrity and resilience of Nigeria’s petroleum supply chain.
Ukoha further noted that geopolitical tensions and international shocks could create arbitrage opportunities, thereby increasing incentives for diversion, smuggling and other forms of illicit cross-border movement.
The workshop introduced measures aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration, enforcement mechanisms, technology deployment and operational integrity in the petroleum sector.
The initiative is expected to provide a stronger framework for coordinated action among regulatory, security and enforcement agencies in safeguarding petroleum product supply and distribution across the country.
