The Nation’s Petroleum Regulatory Agency, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has introduced digital solution to its downstream operations – Automated Downstream System (ADS). The ADS is the migration of all licences and permits in downstream operations to digital platform.
The affected licences and permits includes the Import/Export permit (IMPEX) for petroleum product, Retail Outlet Monitoring (ROM) licence, Coastal Vessel Licence (CVL), Lube Plant licence (LBL), Depot Licence (DL) and Refining Plant Licence (RPL).
The digitalisation initiative is to facilitate the ease of doing business in the petroleum sector to stimulate economic growth in line with government policy thrust. The application, which is currently online is in line with the vision of DPR Director, Modeccai Danteni Baba Ladan to embark on massive digitalisation of DPR work processes to improve operational efficiency and provide effective regulation of the oil and gas sector in alignment with governments recently signed executive order 001 “ease of doing business’ and upgrade the DPR’s operational standards to world class levels.
Head, Public Affairs, Paul Osu in a statement on Wednesday, said with the newly introduced digital platform, applicants for the various licences do not have to go through the paper based old manual system which is cumbersome and time consuming as the ADS portal provides for automation of the application process, inspections, payments, approvals, digital archive of issued licences and permits.
According to him, the ADS portal is integrated into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) payment gateway- REMITA for online payment in compliance with government Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.
He explained: “Among the expected benefits of the digitalisation programme will be the improvement in the ease of payment confirmation, elimination of cost of printing manual permits/licences and reduction of human interface in the influx of applicants to DPR office s .
“For marketers applying for the DPR Retail outlet Monitoring(ROM) category A, B and C approvals, permits and licences, the first step is to visit DPR website: www.dpr.gov.ng to create your company profile. The system will navigate the applicant to the Electronic Licence and Permit System (ELPS) portal for completion of necessary application form.
“The same application process applies to all other licences and permits under the ADS initiative.“The DPR reiterates its commitment to change and innovation through technological advancement in line with global best practices.
And maintains that the digitalisation programme for its work processes under the leadership of Mr. Ladan will amongst other benefits will improve regulatory service delivery to our stakeholders, promote transparency and effective monitoring of the oil and gas industry.”
