The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is intensifying efforts to significantly increase the nation’s gas reserves for both domestic consumption and export, while prioritising local content to slash production costs.
Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, the Authority’s Chief Executive, made this known during day two of the tour of key midstream and downstream facilities in Rivers State.
Speaking after inspections at Central Horizon Gas Company Limited and Matrix Petro-Chem Limited, Mohammed emphasised that promoting Nigerian content in sourcing production materials remains central to reducing operational expenses and fostering sustainable growth in the sector.
“The goal is clear: build up our gas reserves to serve domestic needs and position Nigeria as a reliable exporter,” Mohammed stated.
“To achieve this, we must expand distribution networks aggressively. This is essential for driving industrialisation, which is the backbone of any nation’s development.”
He reiterated NMDPRA’s commitment to enhancing gas utilisation, ensuring it reaches end-users at the lowest possible cost, in alignment with the Federal Government’s vision of gas penetration in every corner of the country.
The tour, aimed at monitoring compliance, assessing infrastructure, and engaging operators to support national objectives, underscores the regulator’s focus on inclusive governance that benefits Nigerians through the oil and gas value chain.
At Central Horizon Gas Company Limited, Managing Director Mr. Kehinde Alabi commended NMDPRA for streamlining licensing processes, describing natural gas as a powerful “propeller of industrialisation.”
The visits form part of broader efforts to verify that regulatory frameworks are delivering on promises of energy security, economic growth, and equitable benefits for citizens.
