Agency urges dredging of Calabar channel to boost petroleum supply

NIGERIAN Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority ( NMDPRA) has urged stakeholders in the oil sector to collaborate with Federal Government for dredging of the Calabar channel.

Executive Director, Distribution System, Storage, Retail and Infrastructure of the Authority, Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha, made the call in Calabar, yesterday, while inspecting tank farms operating in the Calabar depot.

Ukoha said the dredging would allow for bigger vessels to berth with petroleum products, with a view to meeting the storage capacity of the depot.

According to him, oil marketers have identified dredging as one of the major concerns limiting supply of petroleum products to their facilities at the jetty.

The executive director said the peak consumption period for petroleum products in Nigeria was between November and January, hence the need to stabilise and ensure seamless supply and distribution of the products.

“Calabar channel was one of the concerns raised by oil marketers. Due to this, they have to wait for the tide to become high before bringing in their vessels. With dredging, we can do more, so that bigger vessels can come in because they have the capacity for storage.

“Oil marketers have also raised the issue of multiple regulations by different agencies. We will look into the issues and engage with other stakeholders because the Petroleum Industry Act is very clear. We are domiciled as the priority. It is very important that we do this and be mindful of the outcome of the pump price on the end users,” he said.

Ukoha, who was accompanied by the Field Operations Controller of NMDPRA in Calabar, Mr. George Ene- Ita, and other staff, inspected the Dozzy Oil and Gas depot and Ammasco Petroleum Chemicals Company.