Oil and gas
ADITOP/IPMAN form synergy to tackle bottlenecks in Petroleum product distribution

***Aim to eliminate, diversion, scarcity of petroleum products
In a bid to ameliorate the lingering crises in the Petroleum industry that has been bedeviled by scarcity of the products the two major players; The Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have formed a synergy.
The Nigerian populace have been suffering from the lack of Petroleum products leading to long queues at filling stations which had grounded economic activities for over two months now.
It was alleged that the tanker drivers were in the habit of diverting the products to neighboring countries at the detriment of Nigerians.
Speaking on the synergy they have formed to ensure petroleum products are available and to curb the issue of fuel scarcity in Abuja on Wednesday, President of IPMAN, Elder Okorinkwo
said they came to form the synergy to ensure that the Nigerian economy that depends on petroleum does not suffer.
“It is good that you come to know how we intend to move this group together to having a free, without any hindrance in the flow and distribution of petroleum products
“You will agree with me that the main stay of the economy in this country oil and gas.”
According to him, IPMAN and ADITOP investments portfolio in the sector is running in trillions.
“The major stations you will see, all these tankers you see are the combined efforts of ADITOP and IPMAN.”
He said over time they have not been able to have the kind of synergy they are now having hence the many hiccups.
“Over time we have been having different people coming one way or the other, we don’t have a clear cut organization like this.
He said ADITOP is one of the organisation majorly involved in oil and gas, the others are not seriously into oil and gas
“ADITOP are the owners of the tankers you see, some of them have over 500 to 1000 trucks on the road
“So we must bring all these facilities together to see how we can overcome the problem.
He said the relationship with ADITOP was inaugurated on the 24th of march at NAF centre.
“I believe it will now bring new horizon in the industry where we can now discuss our welfare, that of our workers, and by extension reduce or eliminate incessant strikes in the system.
“I think that is the major thing we have decided to do as a group. We have somebody who is deep in managing organizations in the person of Dr. Ibe. “This group since our coming together he is bringing a lot of values to bare in this process of.
The president of ADITOP Alhaji Lawan Dansaki said Transportation in petroleum business is very vital and important
He said IPMAN own the filling stations and ADITOP own the trucks, so at times the synergy will help us and help them ho make sure that all their products are delivered to their stations.
“Before now we were doing it independently they do their own and we do our own but now with this crises and this issue of petroleum scarcity, we found it very expedient to come together to collaborate.
“Our consultant BENHAN has done his best to ensure the two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and to collaborate to eliminate the problems that we are facing.
“At times we have some problem we need the IPMAN, and going by the nature of their business they can not do without us the Transporters who are the ones taking the products to them and at the end of the day our misunderstanding make Nigerians to suffer because when two elephants are fighting it is the grass that suffers.”
“NNPC has a lot products in private depots but the problem is how to take the products round the nation”
He said their collaboration has paid off as the long queue that was witnessed last week has drastically reduced.
“This will continue and all our support we will give to the NNPC and all the relevant authorities and Government to make sure that the issue of scarcity, unnecessary strike, is brought to an end in the oil industry.”
Group Executive chairman/CEO of the
BENHAM Group Dr. Maurice Ibe said he brought the two giants together to see how petroleum products can be made available and the Nigerian economy will stop suffering.
“Those who drive vehicles have experience the worst hardship in the petroleum sector regarding distribution in the last couple of weeks and we cannot continue to let things like that in good conscience to continue to happen.
“For a country that produces oil and gas, a country that God has so endowed with so much resources in the oil sector, we have no reason to let ourselves to suffer this kind of incredible hardship.
“The hardship that we suffered in that last couple of weeks, almost two months now is as a result of the gaps in the distribution chain.
“The products are there but it is not reaching the nooks and corners of of Nigerians. Why is it not getting to them?
“The owners of these tankers that move the products from place to place seem to have lost control of their takers and products to their drivers, who drive the trucks.
“The product are being diverted to neighbouring countries thereby short changing those of us who lives in Nigeria that own the product.
“Huge amounts are being expended in the industry yet we are not seeing the result as the drivers have highjacked the transportation of petroleum resources in Nigeria.”
He said what his group has done is to bring the petroleum markets who owns the filling stations and those who distribute the products to form a synergy to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians to make sure products reaches every books and crannies of Nigeria.
He said it will also checkmate the issues of incessant strikes in the country in oil and gas sector adding that they aim to stop the anomalies if not totally but to reduced to the minimum level.
“Also to work with the government to find ways to reduce the problem of distribution and supply of petroleum products all over the country and you can’t do that without having the two principal stakeholders together who control 80% of the downstream sector. “Their investments and assets within the downstream sector runs into over N10tr. You can’t have such investments and let drivers and all manners of people control your investments.”

Oil and gas
HOSTCOM lauds NUPRC for transparency in completion of the Marginal Field Bid Round, revoked asset

***Also, for carrying them along
The Host Communities of Nigeria producing oil and gas (HOSTCOM) has commended the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)’S commitment to the development of the host Communities by ensuring that they were carried along in the completion of the Marginal Field Bid Round and the revoked asset.
The National President HOSTCOM His Highness Dr. Benjamin Style Tamaranebi JP who made the commendation in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja said the important aspect is that Subsequently, the proceeds from the Bid round were made directly to the Federation account, amounting to N265 Billion and USD 18M in line with the core values of the Commission in August 2023 and also in accordance with the provisions of section 7 (1) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The Marginal Fields Bid Round is a program initiated by the Nigerian government to allocate oil blocks to indigenous companies, promoting local participation and development in the sector. The program aims to, Increase oil production, Encourage indigenous participation and Foster economic growth
On the other hand, Revoked Assets refer to oil blocks or licenses that have been withdrawn or revoked from their previous holders, often due to non-performance, non-compliance, or other reasons.
These assets are then re-allocated to new companies through processes like the Marginal Fields Bid Round
The combination of the Marginal Fields Bid Round and Revoked Assets has significant implications for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, including increased indigenous participation, improved oil production, enhanced economic growth, and encouragement of local content development and redistribution of oil blocks and licenses
Explaining further, Style indicated that the HOSTCOM was not left out in the activities
which were ongoing before the appointment of the present management team of the established Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission under the leadership of the Commission Chief Executive, Engr Gbenga Komolafe.
According to Style HOSTCOM which is the umbrella body and mouth piece of the grassroots has taken stock of the activities of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in relation to it’s partnership with – HOSTCOM as contained in the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
“We also want to use this medium to thank the Commission Chief Executive for the Commission’s consistence in ensuring that the Commission is proactive in every matter pertaining to the Host Communities as contained in section 234 to 257 of the Petroleum Industry Act – PIA 2021.
He said NUPRC under the leadership of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, has achieved great strides in the Upstream sectors, which are not limited to the engagement of HOSTCOM in most of its stakeholders’ activities beginning from the formulation of the Host Communities Development Regulation No. 114 of 2022.
“Consequently, the Host Communities regulation was unveiled by the former President, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR and former Federal Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva observed by all stakeholders including the Senate Committee Chairman for Host Communities, the House of Reps Committee Chairman for Host Communities and the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas ably represented by the President of HOSTCOM.
“Again, the Commission has established a building in the South – South specifically Yenagoa BAYELSA STATE to bring closer to the people the settlors and Communities crisis settlement centre which ordinarily use to have its ADR centre in faraway Lagos State before now, for the expeditious settlement of Community cases with the settlors’.
“This is the first of its kind after the discovery of Oil in the early fifties. Within record time, 17 Regulations were developed, 13 gazetted with HOSTCOM Regulations prioritised in phase 1.
“One hundred and twenty two (122) HOSTCOM Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs) were set up to implement (3%) three per cent provision as provided in the PIA. Seventy two Trusts have been funded up to the tone of over eighty Billions naira and about one hundred and fifty Million Dollars also been remitted to Host Community’s account and likewise more than fifty HCDT’s yet to be formed.
“NUPRC initiated a partnership with IT companies to develop a digital real-time platform known as HOSTCOMPLY for managing HOSTCOM Provisions for transparency and accountability of HOSTCOM funds between settlors and trustees.
“Sensitisation on PIA HCDT’S Board of Trustees and Secretaries in all affected States is on going and the exercise is conducted by Host Community organization.
“NUPRC has set up a panel to mediate and resolve disputes among HOSTCOM and settlors also established as contained in the Host Communities Development Regulation.
K. NUPRC has cleared the doubt on the issue of divestment and has come up with templates concerning any Company that want to divest must meet up the requirements (a) plan dicommissioning and aboundornment (b) plan on environmental remediation (C) Community investment plan (d) plan to inherit liabilities of divesting Company .
“With a deep sense of responsibility, we have observed with keen interest and observed the transparency demonstrated by the Commission in the conduct and adherence to established protocols and regulations to ensure effective conduct of their practices and accountability.
“Following the reassurances of the Commission to continue to engage the Host Communities of Nigerian Producing Oil and Gas, we rate the score card of the Commission by passing a vote of Confidence on the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the management team ably led by the Commission Chief Executive, Engr Gbnega Komolafe for an award for its commitment to Petroleum Communities’ sustainable development and protection of their participatory rights.
“With regards to the aforementioned strides of the NUPRC for delivering within record time, we call on all meaningful stakeholders to join hands with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to facilitate the speedy implementation of the 3% OPEX which is overdue by the settlors.
“And to those settlors who have refused to set-up the Host Communities Development Board of Trustees to immediately do so.
“To allow the Communities to start enjoying their benefits of sustainable development and participatory rights as contained in the PIA 2021.
“In fact, we call on the NUPRC to List out all the settlors who have refuse to comply with the PIA 2021 or else we will have no choice than to escalate the issue of noncompliance to section 234 of the PIA 2021 and the Host Communities Development Regulation No 114 of 2022 to the President who doubles as Minister of Petroleum Resources for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to invoke the revocation of their licenses for violating the extant regulatory Laws of Nigeria and protocols of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) green house gas (ghg).
He said HOSTCOM will continue to partner with the NUPRC and the present administration to ensure good working relationship with the settlors only if they comply with and implement the PIA 2021, with regards to Host Communities Development Regulation No.114 of 2022, and in adherence to all other protocols to yield sustainable development and the participatory rights of the Petroleum Communities
Oil and gas
Tinubu rattles oil sector, directs NNPCL to remit crude sales revenue to CBN

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately handover details of revenue from sales of crude oil to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Apparently, the move had sent some shock waves down the spines of some players as it is believed to be part of Tinubu’s effort aimed at monitoring revenue accruing to the Federal Government
The NNPC had over the years been solely responsible for the maintenance and control over crude oil sales after which it merely rendered accounts to the Federal Government.
It was reliably gathered that the CBN while confirming the development, said that with the Presidential directive, all receipts of payment for oil sales would now be forwarded to the CBN with immediate effect.
The new directive requires the NNPC to submit all receipts for crude oil sales to the CBN for vetting and documentation. This aims to close any potential gaps in reporting and ensure accurate records of oil revenue.
CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, had earlier indicated that the collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the NNPCL is to ensure that all foreign inflows are returned to the Central Bank.
“This coordinated effort will greatly enhance the Bank’s foreign exchange flows and contribute to the accretion of reserves,” he said.
Cardoso, who was delivering a keynote address at the launch of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) “2024 Macroeconomic Outlook Report”, said, “The expected stability in the foreign exchange market for 2024 can be attributed to the reduction in petroleum product imports and the recent implementation of a market-determined exchange rate policy by the CBN.
“This reform is designed to streamline and unify multiple exchange rates, fostering transparency and reducing opportunities for arbitrage.
“The resulting consistent and stable exchange rate will not only boost investor confidence but also attract foreign investment, elevating Nigeria’s appeal to global investors.”
“We are implementing a comprehensive strategy to improve liquidity in our FX markets in the short, medium, and long term. Our focus is on addressing fundamental issues that have hindered the effective operation of our markets over the years.
“Upholding the integrity of financial markets is crucial for building confidence. With the completion of an independent forensic review, we are addressing the backlog of valid FX transactions and we remain steadfast in our commitment to decisively address any infractions and abuses,” he added.
Oil and gas
HOSTCOM commends NUPRC’S steadfastness in Devpt Trust Fund creation, management

The Host Communities of Nigeria producing oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) has clarified the involvement of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in the management of the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) which has generated unnecessary agitation within the ranks of some misinformed entities who have resorted to issuing unwarranted threats in the media recently.
National President of HOSTCOM, Highness Dr Benjamin Style Tamaranebi (JP) said the involvement of the NUPRC is purely regulatory to ensure proper implementation to the benefit of all stakeholders and nothing more.
“It is necessary to state for the umpteenth time that the NUPRC is only involved in the execution of the HCDTs to the extant prescribed in the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and the Regulations governing the implementation of the Trust which was approved by stakeholders and gazetted by the government.
“The Commission is not unaware of the antics of those who are not comfortable with the new regulations but would prefer the status quo for which host communities were short-changed to continue.
“It is in the light of this that we would like to make the following clarifications for the sake of the undiscerning members of the public.
“It is important, first and foremost to reiterate that the NUPRC is a regulatory body established by law to oversee the upstream petroleum sector, thus its primary objective is ensuring efficient and sustainable petroleum resource exploration and production in Nigeria. “This includes safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders, including the oil and gas host communities.
“Part of the functions of the NUPRC is to superintend and monitor the implementation of the Host Communities Development Trust as stipulated in Chapter 3 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021 and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Host Communities Regulation (NUPHCR), 2022. ”
Explaining further he said, Oil producing communities are expected to have a Board of Trustees (BoT) to superintend the HCDT as stated in section 240 through 244 of the PIA.
“It is imperative to apprise the public of the responsibilities of the respective incorporated trust which, amongst others, include the general management of the host community’s development trusts, disbursement of the capital fund (75% of the 3% annual OPEX) for the execution of host communities project and the appointment of fund managers to manage the reserve fund (20% of the 3% OPEX) as business venture (while 5% ot the 3% OPEX is for administrative cost).
“The reason for the attacks on the Commission is the introduction of the digital platform and implementation by OEM hostcomply, which has heated the operators and to end the sharp practices of the oil multinationals and their cohort.
“With this HOSTCOMPLY host communities are confident and safe with their 3 % Annual OPEX without blinking eyes.
“The PIA expressly situated administrative fees in the 5 percent of the 3 percent to situate with the settlors. What the commission did was digitizing end to end administration of the HOSTCOM provision through HOSTCOMPLY and directing operators and stakeholders to subscribe to usage for transparency and avoid human interference.
“The point must be made clear that the NUPRC is not a signatory to any of the HCDT accounts rather only the settlors and the BOTs of the Host communities are signatories to the trust accounts as provided in Regulation 23 (5d) of the NUPHCR of the Commission, which is to ensure effective monitoring of the implementation and operationalisation of the HCDT process.
“It is worth noting that since the enactment of the PIA 2021, the NUPRC has been working assiduously to ensure compliance by Settlors to the provisions of the law with the overall objective of fully operationalising the trusts for the sustainable prosperity of the host communities. “This effort by the Commission has led to the incorporation of over one hundred (110) HCDTs and funding the requisite accounts for about fifty (50).
“As the Mouth piece and Umbrella body we understand the imperativeness of safeguarding the HCDT funds for the full utilisation of the sustainable development and property of the host communities.
He callef on all stakeholders to cooporate and work with NUPRC to ensure that the host communities’ funds are efficiently and transparently managed for the benefit of the communities by working closely with the relevant leaders of the HCDT in driving positive change and development in the communities.
He commended the tireless, vibrant Commission Chief Executive Engr Gbenga Komolafe for his pragmatic style of leadership geared towards improving the social inclusion and further make attempt to increase production beyond OPEC quota by 2024 involving every critical stakeholders on board.
“We observed with keen interest how operators are doing everything possible to frustrate genuine efforts by sponsoring uninformed persons against seamless flow 3% annual OPEX.
“The Settlors or Operators are the major problems we have by failing to setup HCDTs and the mode of creating the trusts is another key problem where they supper imposing candidates of there cohort confusing the communities against the extant Law of PIA.
“Finally, we want to emphasise that HOSTCOM is not comfortable towards the unpresidented delay in implementation of PIA proper in our communities after over 2 years of enactment of the Act (law) for communities to enjoy the dividends of the annual 3% Opex developmentstrides.
“HOSTCOM call on the Commission to list and publish and treat defaulting Oil Companies as stated by PIA.
“We also call on Community’s leadership to conduct themselves not to be used by Oil multinationals drag matters to delay the implementation of the PIA rather work out there differences.
“HOSTCOM Leadership reiterated the complaint from Host communities in Andoni LGA HCDTs by Green Energy operations in OML11, SPDC in Khana, Gokana, Eleme LGAS in Rivers State while SPDC in EA Host Communities at Bayelsa in EKeremor LGA, how they have denied or left out up till now .
“During our engagement with various stakeholders across the Niger Delta oil-bearing communities we recorded numerous complaints against the settlors.
“Engr Gbenga Komolafe, FNSE and his team have done so well that from September 2023 today we have recorded over 130 HCDTS sported for registration and HOSTCOM restated its commitment to the sustainable development and empowerment of the communities.
“We remain dedicated to our mandate of ensuring peacefull co existence between settlors and communities for the interest of justice and fairness and we will continue to support the Commission for good regulations for the betterment of host communities for sustainable development and prosperity.”
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