Decommissioning of filling stations under NMDPRA’s 2025 proposal faces opposition from downstream operators amid calls for safer environmental practices

Decommissioning of Filling Stations has become a flashpoint in Nigeria’s petroleum sector as fresh regulatory proposals by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) face pushback from downstream retail outlet owners.

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At the core of the debate is a newly drafted 2025 Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Safety and Environmental Regulation, which mandates formal procedures for the decommissioning of filling stations.

The regulation aims to prevent environmental hazards such as groundwater contamination caused by abandoned or poorly managed fuel stations.

However, the proposal has sparked strong opposition from stakeholders, especially in the downstream sector. Many argue that the scope of the regulation should remain within midstream operations and not extend to retail fuel outlets.

NMDPRA’s Secretary and Legal Adviser, Joseph Tolurushe, defended the move, citing the need for uniform environmental standards.

“We must ensure abandoned facilities do not pose risks to water sources,” he emphasized, noting that the regulation was part of an effort to consolidate existing laws into one cohesive framework.

The consolidation merges three 2023 regulations—safety, abandonment, and environmental—into one. The process is part of the Authority’s effort to simplify compliance, reduce duplication, and align with international best practices.

Authority Chief Executive Ahmed Farouk, represented by Executive Director Ogbugo Ukoha, added that Section 33 of the Petroleum Industry Act empowers the Authority to regulate all midstream and downstream activities.

He stressed that the new regulation will help eliminate inconsistencies, improve compliance, and make regulation easier to implement.

Despite stakeholder concerns, NMDPRA is moving forward. After gathering feedback, the final draft will undergo legal review and gazetting within the next month.

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With both sides standing firm, the fate of the decommissioning of filling stations regulation could set a significant precedent for environmental governance in Nigeria’s oil sector.