The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has clarified that it has never issued any directive to halt gas supply to power generating companies (GenCos). In a statement released on Wednesday, the NMDPRA also denied claims that it had instructed wholesale gas suppliers to stop supplying gas to companies due to unpaid obligations.

The Authority dismissed reports circulating that it had ordered a stop to gas supply to GenCos over a N2 trillion debt, calling these claims false and completely baseless.

NMDPRA explained that recent discussions held during a stakeholder engagement in Lagos, involving the Authority, the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), and other industry stakeholders, were unrelated to the allegations. The purpose of the engagement was to inform stakeholders about the requirements, opportunities, and benefits of implementing a wholesale supply license as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, specifically Sections 142 and 197.

This event followed an earlier stakeholder meeting on November 27, 2024, at the NMDPRA headquarters in Abuja.

The NMDPRA reassured stakeholders and the public that the false statement reported during the event was never made, urging everyone to disregard the misleading publication. The Authority emphasized that it is fully committed to ensuring the continuous and uninterrupted supply and distribution of natural gas and petroleum products, especially during the upcoming festive season and throughout 2025.