The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has announced that cross-border fuel smuggling has declined by 35 per cent, attributing the reduction to regulatory efforts by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, the association credited the improvement to stricter enforcement and oversight by the NMDPRA.

The association cited data from an internal security report of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), which noted the drop in fuel diversion linked to intensified monitoring at border areas.

Adewole said the sector has witnessed greater operational stability, improved product availability, and increased investor interest, which he linked to what he described as “firm, fair and functional” leadership at the NMDPRA.

He added that the authority’s regulatory actions have restored confidence in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.

According to him, ongoing collaboration between the NMDPRA, NNPC Limited, and other industry stakeholders has reduced incidents of fuel scarcity across the country.

He noted that petrol availability has remained relatively stable in recent months, contrasting it with the more frequent shortages recorded in previous years.

The statement also highlighted the NMDPRA’s use of an Automated Downstream System for tracking product movement, which, according to DAPPMAN, has helped curb hoarding and illicit sales by enabling real-time monitoring.

Adewole noted that this monitoring system, along with a policy of zero tolerance for adulterated fuel, has resulted in 98 per cent compliance across major depots.

On investment, Adewole pointed to figures from the 2024 NMDPRA Industry Brief, which reported that about $1.2 billion in modular refinery investments have been secured since 2022. He credited this to the streamlining of licensing procedures and the transparency of the authority’s regulatory framework.

The DAPPMAN executive also commended the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), saying it has enabled the authority to adopt market-based policies and support downstream deregulation. He added that the deregulation process has contributed to improved competitiveness and long-term planning.

“We have seen the NMDPRA take stakeholder engagement and compliance to a strategic level,” Adewole said. “This is encouraging open dialogue and ensuring policies remain relevant to current market conditions.”

He also observed that there has been a decline in illegal refining activities and an improvement in fuel quality due to enhanced enforcement of standards.

Adewole urged all stakeholders to support the NMDPRA’s reforms, saying sustained collaboration is necessary to fully deregulate the sector and attract new investment that can boost energy access and economic development.