The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has called for improved access to locally refined petroleum products, affordable financing, and reduced regulatory costs as the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) began moves to reform Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
The association made the appeal while speaking with journalists after a strategic stakeholders’ engagement convened by the House Committee to review challenges confronting the downstream petroleum industry and chart a legislative pathway for sustainable reforms.
Speaking at the session, the President of IPMAN, Alhaji Abubakar Megandi Shettima, urged lawmakers to recognize independent petroleum marketers as critical partners in implementing reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), noting that the association remains the backbone of petroleum products distribution across the country.
According to him, independent marketers operate the largest retail network in Nigeria and play a vital role in ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply to urban and rural communities despite numerous operational challenges.
Shettima identified high financing costs, multiple taxation, inadequate storage infrastructure, logistics constraints, pipeline vandalism, foreign exchange volatility, and limited access to locally refined petroleum products as some of the major obstacles limiting the growth of the downstream petroleum sector.
He appealed to the House Committee to support policies that would guarantee independent marketers easier access to products from local refineries, particularly as Nigeria expands its domestic refining capacity.
The IPMAN President also advocated affordable financing mechanisms to enable marketers upgrade facilities, expand operations and remain competitive in the evolving petroleum market.
He further called for the modernization of petroleum transportation and storage infrastructure, establishment of strategic petroleum reserves, and institutionalization of regular stakeholder consultations before major government policies affecting the sector are introduced.
According to him, sustained engagement between government and industry players will produce practical policies capable of addressing the realities facing operators while enhancing national energy security.
Responding, Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, assured stakeholders that the National Assembly is committed to pursuing legislative reforms that will strengthen the downstream petroleum sector and improve the operating environment for all players.
He explained that the engagement was designed to encourage constructive dialogue rather than confrontation, stressing that meaningful reforms can only be achieved through collaboration between lawmakers, regulators and industry stakeholders.
Ugochinyere said the Committee’s legislative agenda would focus on promoting domestic refining, encouraging fair competition, removing unnecessary regulatory bottlenecks, strengthening energy security and creating a predictable business environment capable of attracting investment.
He acknowledged the concerns raised by IPMAN and other stakeholders, assuring them that all recommendations submitted during the engagement would be carefully considered in the ongoing review of existing petroleum laws.
Also speaking at the meeting, Executive Secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Mr. Clement Isong, advocated greater use of rail transportation for petroleum products, rehabilitation of the national pipeline network, dredging of waterways serving petroleum depots, and stronger coordination among stakeholders to improve supply chain efficiency.
Similarly, Executive Secretary of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Mr. Olufemi Adewale, emphasized the need for improved depot operations, enhanced storage infrastructure and policies that would strengthen petroleum products distribution across the country.
In his remarks, Hon. Ugochinyere reaffirmed that Nigeria’s pipeline infrastructure remains a strategic national asset requiring urgent rehabilitation and optimal utilization.
He also reiterated the Committee’s support for domestic refining but maintained that the Federal Government should retain the authority to regulate petroleum imports whenever necessary to safeguard national energy security, stabilize supply and protect consumers.
The lawmaker cited the recent increase in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) imports, which improved supply and contributed to lower cooking gas prices, as an example of how strategic importation can complement domestic production when national interest demands.
He assured stakeholders that the Committee would continue to engage industry players while developing legislative proposals aimed at building a transparent, competitive, efficient and sustainable downstream petroleum sector capable of supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and ensuring reliable energy supply nationwide.
