By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says Nigeria has significantly reduced its importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

The Chief Executive Officer, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, said this during the Meet-the-Press briefing series organised by the Presidential Communications Team (PTC) at the State House in Abuja.

Ahmed said the county’s PMS daily importation had dropped from 44.6 million litres in August 2024 to 14.7 million litres as of April 13.

He attributed the 30-million-litre drop in imports to increased contributions from local refineries.

Ahmed also disclosed that local production of petrol surged by 670 per cent during the same period.

He credited the rise to the gradual restart of the Port Harcourt Refining Company in November 2024, along with added output from modular refineries across the country.

“After contributing virtually nothing in August 2024, local plants delivered 26.2 million litres per day in early April, a jump from the 3.4 million litres recorded in September 2024, which was the first month with measurable output.”

He, however, said that in spite of the growth in domestic supply, total national supply exceeded the government’s 50 million litres per day consumption benchmark.

“Only twice within the eight-month period—56 million litres in November 2024 and 52.3 million litres in February, 2025.

He added that the month of March 2025 saw a slight dip to 51.5 million litres per day, while the first half of April recorded an even lower average of 40.9 million litres per day.

Ahmed emphasised that the NMDPRA issues import licenses strictly in line with national supply requirements, underscoring the authority’s commitment to balancing imports with growing local production capacity.

He called for a collective national effort in protecting and maintaining Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.

According to him, all stakeholders – including security agencies, political leaders, traditional rulers, youths, and oil companies must work together to secure national energy assets.

“It takes all of us — government, traditional institutions, companies, and the youth—to collaborate and resist criminal activities that threaten our infrastructure,” he said.

The CEO also stressed that local government authorities and international oil companies (IOCs) such as NNPCL, as well as indigenous companies, must take responsibility in ensuring that oil assets are protected and maintained.

“Until we all commit to safeguarding these national assets, we should stop pointing fingers,” he added.

Ahmed reaffirmed NMDPRA’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the midstream and downstream sectors. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

By Angela Atabo

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has expressed concern over the activities of multiple professional bodies duplicating engineering accreditation efforts in Nigerian universities.

The President of COREN, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, in Abuja.

Abubakar stated that the presence of multiple accreditation bodies was duplicating responsibilities and placing unnecessary burdens on universities.

He emphasised that COREN was the only body legally empowered to accredit engineering programmes in Nigerian universities.

“The Federal Government established COREN with the mandate to regulate and control the education, training, and practice of engineering in all its aspects since 1972,” he said.

“The COREN Act empowers the body to accredit academic programmes for the training of engineering professionals at all levels including technologists, technicians, and craftsmen as well as to register and license them to practice in Nigeria.

“The Act also gives COREN the authority to make specific regulations and publish them for effective monitoring, compliance, and enforcement,” he added.

He raised concerns over certain professional bodies that, through lobbying, had gained statutory backing and now conducted unauthorised accreditation visits to universities.

He cited an example of a body that recently attempted to accredit the Electrical Engineering programme at the University of Jos without the knowledge of either COREN or NUC.

Another body, he noted, was planning to license and regulate power engineers, a move COREN rejected due to potential conflict and crisis.

“Only the body with legal authority to accredit a programme can regulate it,” he said, stressing the urgency of finalising protocols for joint accreditation between COREN and NUC.

Abubakar called on the NUC leadership to support and expedite the commencement of joint accreditation activities, which had historically been carried out collaboratively for more than 55 years.

He warned that failure to resolve the issue could result in significant crises, and urged universities to recognise COREN as the sole body for engineering accreditation.

Responding, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, assured COREN of the commission’s full support and collaboration.

Ribadu expressed readiness to initiate joint accreditation activities, acknowledging the vital role of engineering in national development.

He also criticised some professional bodies for placing financial and logistical burdens on universities during visits.

“If you are a professional body coming to perform your duties, do not put pressure on the universities. As a former Vice Chancellor, I saw this firsthand, one body asked for two million naira.

“That should not happen,” Ribadu said.

He pledged NUC’s support for COREN and commended the council for its efforts in advancing the engineering profession in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

The Federal Government on Monday inaugurated the construction of the 65 Kilo Metre Section 3A and 3B of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road at Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River.

The Minister of Works, Chief Dave Umahi, inaugurated the three-lane dual carriageway in company of the Cross River Governor, Bassey Otu, who represented President Bola Tinubu.

Umahi explained that the sections were components of the 750km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.

He said that like other sections of the road, the Cross River axis would be constructed using a continuous reinforced concrete pavement.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to infrastructural development, describing him as a national hero.

“Only somebody like Asiwaju can come to a deep forest like this and then turn it to another city.

“I thank you for your support for the people of this country because your commitment and pedigree, character, and content is beyond Cross River. You are a national hero.

“We inherited an economy that was in shock. It was in oxygen. But the oxygen has been removed. The worst is over, and we are at the path of prosperity. This project is one of it,” he said.

He appealed to communities within the corridor to cooperate with the contractor to complete the project on time.

“So, I want to appeal that we give the contractor lots of cooperation. They move like lightning. They have no time to waste. If you cooperate with them, you will see magic,” he added.

Tinubu, in his remarks, described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project as economic enabler, job creation booster, intra- and interregional integration link, and facilitator of cultural exchange.

According to him, as a responsive government, an enabling environment will be continually created for the nano, small, medium enterprises to thrive.

“Relevant government agencies are poised to grant soft loans, grants, professional advice, and other incentives to business owners to enhance their operations.

“Not too long from now, Nigeria is going to be fully independent. If you are independent without food sufficiency, and you cannot actually determine your fate properly, then it means you are going to lean on other economic powers to help you navigate the rough terrain.

“But the structure that we are putting in place today is something that is going to leave a massive legacy in terms of making sure that the life of every Nigerian is better.”

Similarly, the Federal Controller of Works in Cross River, Olayinka Onafuye, said that his duty is to ensure that the project meets standards and specifications, and gave assurance that he would ensure that. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Deborah Coker

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra on Thursday signed six bills into law, as part of ongoing efforts to advance the state’s development projects.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bills included the Anambra State Development and Investment Corporation Law, 2025 and the Anambra State Electricity Law, 2025.

They also include the Anambra State Homeland Security (Amendment) Law 2025 and the Anambra State Indigenous Traditional Medicine Practices Law, 2025.

Others are the Anambra State Herbal Practice Law 2025 and the Anambra State Mission Schools of Nursing and Midwifery (Amendment No. 2) Law, 2025.

Speaking while signing the bills into law, Gov. Soludo said the laws would strengthen governance in the state and served as an indicator of progress in the state.

He commended the state House of Assembly for working closely with the executive to make laws that would positively affect the citizens. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdul Hassan/Maureen Atuonwu