(DDM) – The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has issued an urgent warning to oil and gas operators in Ogun and Lagos States to brace for heavy flooding forecasted to hit at least 15 communities in the coming days.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the warning was issued by the Ogun State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Dr. Simeon Atilola, during a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday, where he urged industry players to adopt proactive measures to protect lives, safeguard facilities, and maintain energy security.
Dr. Atilola explained that the alert followed predictions from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which projected that the flood would affect several communities stretching from Ogun to Lagos.
He noted that previous flooding incidents have had devastating effects on oil and gas operations, leading to product spillages, environmental contamination, and disruptions in fuel distribution networks.
According to him, “About 15 areas in Ogun State have been identified as potential flood-prone communities, including Isheri, Magboro, Akute, Ifo, Iro, Kajola, Orimerunmu, Alagbole, Makogi, Lafenwa, Enugada, Akin Olugbade, Iberekodo, and Ago Odo.”
Atilola emphasized that collaboration among stakeholders is crucial to mitigate the impact, noting that one of the agency’s core mandates is to ensure uninterrupted petroleum supply despite environmental challenges.
He said, “Our coming together is to safeguard our lives, our investments, and the environment while ensuring that supply and distribution of petroleum and gas are not hindered.”
The coordinator further warned that while the flood might not be completely averted, its effects could be minimized through strict adherence to environmental safety standards and early risk management.
Representatives of oil marketers and industry associations, including the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), commended NMDPRA for initiating the meeting.
Alhaji Sodiq Mahmud, a former IPMAN Secretary, lauded the agency for prioritizing the safety of operators beyond revenue generation.
He stated that the engagement “has enlightened stakeholders on the urgency of preparedness” and the need for coordinated safety actions to minimize losses.
Similarly, IPMAN Lagos Secretary, Alhaji Akeem Balogun, pledged that union leaders would relay all safety protocols discussed to members across the affected areas.
At the end of the meeting, participants agreed to establish a joint Flood Response Team to coordinate emergency support during the anticipated flooding.
A communiqué issued by the NMDPRA Head of Distribution System, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, outlined the resolutions reached.
He said stakeholders agreed to “set up a communication channel between the public, industry players, and regulators for improved coordination” during the flooding period.
The communiqué also mandated operators to observe safety procedures, strap tanks securely, suspend operations in high-risk areas, and seek recommissioning approval from NMDPRA before resuming after the flood recedes.
Meanwhile, Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, had earlier warned residents living along riverbanks and wetlands in Akute, Alagbole, Isheri, Makogi, Orimerunmu, and parts of Abeokuta to prepare for overflow from the Ogun River between October 20 and November 3.
Oresanya linked the anticipated overflow to the controlled release of water from the Oyan Dam, triggered by rising water levels from northern rivers flowing into the Ogun basin.
He advised residents in low-lying areas to relocate temporarily to higher grounds, avoid riverbanks, and take precautionary measures to prevent loss of life and property.
With warnings now coming from both the state government and the petroleum regulatory authority, the focus has shifted to emergency readiness across Nigeria’s southwest region, where flooding continues to threaten infrastructure, livelihoods, and energy supply chains each year.