The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Tuesday said it will be rolling out its first phase of gas distribution licences in the next few days.

The NMDPRA’s Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage & Retailing Infrastructure Ogbugo Ukoha, disclosed this at the Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week 2024 in Abuja with the theme, “Showcasing opportunities, driving investment and meeting energy demand.”

Ukoha said the move aims to improve licensing processes and make business and network environment efficient.

He said, “There is an increase in the number of modern gas innovations. Almost all of which is the NNPCL and NIPCO assets that have just been commissioned recently.

“Let me also use this opportunity to announce that the NMDPRA will shortly, in a matter of a few days, be issuing the first phase of the gas distribution license, which promises to drive the last man in terms of distribution infrastructure for gas.

“All these outcomes are geared towards a gas market development”.

Speaking on future initiatives to boost gas distribution, Ukoha said NMDPRA is currently vetting prospective projects that are qualified for investments.

He added that there’s a strong collaboration between NMDPRA, Standard Organizations of Nigeria (SON), National Automatic Design and Development Council (NADDC), Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) and other organizations to drive CNG penetration in Nigeria.

Ukoha added that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has provided fresh momentum for the regulators and operators to work together in transforming the Nigerian domestic gas market.

He said, “Necessary investments would be made to guarantee gas supply, huge transportation and processing of gas, and established solution channels.

“Also remaining is the reform of the payment system that assures every player that its cost will be fully recovered. I leave you with the assurance that NMDPRA stands to partner with every operator”.