The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream, has restated its commitment to drive comprehensive legislative reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector. The Committee said the reforms are designed to promote energy security and create a more stable business environment for operators across the value chain.
The pledge was made during a strategic stakeholders’ engagement organized by the Committee in Abuja. The session was convened to review the challenges facing the downstream industry and to identify practical solutions that can support sustainable growth and efficient service delivery.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from across the petroleum industry. In attendance were regulators, refiners, independent petroleum marketers, major energy marketers, depot operators, transporters, and other critical players in the sector. 
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, said the engagement was not intended as a confrontation. He described it as a platform for constructive dialogue among partners who share responsibility for strengthening Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
“Lasting reforms in the downstream industry cannot be achieved through isolated decisions but through cooperation and understanding among lawmakers,” Ugochinyere stated. He added that the Committee recognizes the strategic importance of the sector to Nigeria’s economy and is committed to legislative interventions that will address challenges, improve efficiency, and protect Nigerians.
According to him, the Committee’s reform agenda will focus on five key areas. These include promoting domestic refining capacity, encouraging fair competition, improving energy security, removing unnecessary regulatory bottlenecks, and building a predictable business environment that can attract investment.
“The downstream petroleum sector remains one of the most strategic pillars of Nigeria’s economy,” he said. “Every litre of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene, and LPG distributed across the country supports transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, telecommunications, power generation, national security, and other critical sectors.” He also stressed the need for continuous engagement between government and industry as Nigeria implements reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act.
The President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, used the forum to highlight pressing challenges. He listed high financing costs, multiple taxation, inadequate storage infrastructure, logistics problems, pipeline vandalism, foreign exchange instability, and limited access to locally refined products as major constraints on operations.
IPMAN noted that independent marketers operate a significant percentage of retail outlets nationwide and play a critical role in product distribution. The association recommended improved access to locally refined products, affordable financing, reduced regulatory costs, modernized transport and storage infrastructure, and the establishment of strategic petroleum reserves. It also called for institutionalized consultation with stakeholders during policy development.
The Executive Secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, MEMAN, Mr. Clement Isong, presented a separate set of recommendations. MEMAN urged government to prioritize alternative transportation, especially rail freight, and to complete dredging of key waterways linked to depots. The association also called for a review of the Cabotage policy, urgent rehabilitation of the national pipeline network, and the repositioning of NNPC depots as strategic reserves. MEMAN further requested clear pipeline operating guidelines and stronger coordination among agencies and operators.
Responding, Hon. Ugochinyere reaffirmed that pipelines are strategic national assets critical to economic stability and energy security. While acknowledging the role of current trade corridors, he said restoring pipelines remains a national priority. He also restated support for domestic refining to reduce import dependence, but noted that government must retain the authority to regulate imports when necessary. Citing increased LPG imports, he said strategic importation helped improve availability and reduce cooking gas prices.
The Chairman assured participants that all submissions would be carefully considered as the Committee reviews existing laws. He thanked stakeholders for their contributions and promised continued collaboration to build a downstream sector that is transparent, efficient, competitive, and sustainable, with the ultimate goal of delivering reliable energy, supporting growth, encouraging investment, and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
