The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDPRA, has commended the Indorama Petrochemical and Fertiliser Facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, describing it as a shining example of the type of industrial development Nigeria requires to achieve sustainable economic growth.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority
Saidu Mohammed made the statement while speaking to journalists after touring the Indorama facility as part of a three-day operational visit to selected midstream and downstream oil and gas facilities across Rivers State.
He said the project represents the realisation of a vision conceived more than three decades ago, stressing that its success underscores the value of continuity in leadership and long-term planning.
According to him, the achievements recorded at Indorama are the result of foundations laid by past leaders who envisioned Nigeria’s industrial future and worked deliberately towards it.
He described the facility as a model for the midstream sector, particularly in the area of value addition to the nation’s abundant hydrocarbon resources.
“What we have seen at Indorama is a manifestation of what Nigeria needs,” Engr. Mohammed said. “We need more of this kind of development in the midstream sector. Value addition to our hydrocarbon resources through fertilizer plants and other derivative products is critical if the nation must truly progress.”
The NMDPRA Chief Executive emphasised that Nigeria has no justification for importing fertilisers, urea, and similar products given its vast natural gas reserve.
He expressed optimism that with ongoing expansion at Indorama and the emergence of similar facilities nationwide, Nigeria would, within the next 24 months, join the league of urea-exporting countries.
“This is where Nigeria should be—not just as a source of energy, but also as a hub for secondary derivatives of oil and gas,” he said.
Unlock Potential
Mohammed described the midstream segment of the oil and gas industry as highly capital-intensive, estimating that between $30 billion and $50 billion in investments would be required to fully unlock its potential and place Nigeria on a sustainable growth trajectory.
He attributed recent progress in the sector to effective collaboration between government and the private sector, noting that while the vision for industrialisation had existed for decades, tangible results only emerged after the right partnership frameworks were put in place.
On the strategic importance of Rivers State, the NMDPRA boss described it as a critical hub in Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain, citing the concentration of gas processing plants, petrochemical and fertiliser facilities, refineries, and other industrial assets within the state.
“Rivers State has almost every sample we need to see across the oil and gas value chain,” he said. “If you want to see gas processing, manufacturing, or refining, it is all here.”
He explained that the purpose of the facility tour was to give the Authority a clearer understanding of ongoing operations and challenges in the sector, while assuring investors that the NMDPRA would continue to act as a facilitator by creating an enabling regulatory environment for existing investments to thrive and for new ones to be attracted.
“The essence of this visit is to give support and ensure that investors continue to expand while we attract even more investments into the sector,” he said.
He further noted that the three-day visit was not sufficient to cover all industrial facilities in the state. “I may finish this visit on Friday, but I will be back. There are many industries in Rivers State that we still need to cover.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Indorama Fertilizer Limited, Mr. Munish Jindal, welcomed the visit by the NMDPRA leadership, describing it as crucial to effective regulation and the sustained growth of the midstream sector.
Jindal said on-the-ground regulatory visits enable authorities to better understand industry realities, appreciate the scale of investments, and see firsthand the progress achieved over time.
“These visits are very important from a regulator’s point of view,” he said. “When regulators come and see things for themselves, they understand what has been delivered here over the last 20 years.”
He commended Engr. Mohammed for undertaking the tour with his management team, noting that the NMDPRA had been involved since the early days of the Eleme Petrochemical Complex, when plans for Phase Two and Phase Three expansions were first conceived.
According to him, the visit offered an opportunity for the new Chief Executive to confirm that those long-held aspirations have now been fully realised.
On expectations from the Authority under the new leadership, Jindal clarified that Indorama and other midstream manufacturers were not seeking special concessions, but rather regulatory adjustments that reflect the unique realities of manufacturing and fertiliser production.
No Longer Applicable
He explained that some existing regulatory provisions were originally designed for upstream oil and gas operations and are no longer applicable to midstream manufacturing activities.
“Our request is not for Indorama alone, but for the industry as a whole, that certain provisions which are not applicable to manufacturing be reviewed and exemptions considered where appropriate,” he said.
He said that improved understanding and collaboration between regulators and the midstream industry over the past 18 years have been instrumental to the sector’s growth
He expressed confidence that continued engagement under the new NMDPRA leadership would further support expansion and attract additional investments into Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.
Lateefah Ibrahim