The Federal Government has dismissed reports alleging that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources instructed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to raise the fuel price to N1,000, significantly above the approved pump rate.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), clarified that neither he nor any entity within the ministry had directed the NNPC or any other organization in the sector to manipulate fuel prices.
The statement was issued by Nnemaka Okafor, his Special Adviser on Media and Communication.
“The Federal Government has been compelled to address the outright falsehood and malicious claims currently circulating on social media. We categorically condemn these claims as baseless, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to incite public discontent.
“We challenge anyone in possession of any evidence-be it written documents, audio, or video recordings-that supports these fabrications to make it public.
“Such a claim is entirely devoid of truth and should be recognised as an intentional effort to mislead the public,” he said.
He explained that the NNPC Ltd. operates as an independent entity under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), with a fully empowered Board of Directors and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources does not, and will not interfere in NNPC Ltd.’s internal decisions, including pricing matters.
“Any suggestion otherwise is not only incorrect but also reveals a profound misunderstanding of the deregulated nature of Nigeria’s petroleum sector,” he said.
He advised the public to dismiss these malicious rumors.
“Any claim to the contrary is nothing more than an ill- conceived attempt to sow discord and confusion.
“We urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely solely on information from verified and official channels,” he said.
Recall that on Tuesday, the NNPC Ltd. Retail Stations adjusted their pump price, selling at N897 as against N617 per litre.
Independent marketers are selling between N930 to N1,000.
Meanwhile, Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to demand transparency in the operations of government agencies, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which he accused of shrouding its activities in secrecy.
In a statement on Tuesday, Obi expressed concern over the conflicting reports on subsidy payments, saying it has left Nigerians in the dark about the company’s activities.
“It is very curious that the NNPCL, which declared a N3 trillion profit in 2023, is coming up with a bizarre claim of ‘financial constraints’ in supplying fuel,” Obi said.
He attributed the fuel scarcity crisis, characterized by endless queues and untold hardship, to the government’s ineptitude.
“The $20 billion Dangote Refinery and other Modular Refineries’ struggles to secure crude oil supply and NNPCL’s search for outside operators for its refineries are further proof of this administration’s gross incompetence,” Obi added.
The former governor of Anambra State demanded a better level of transparency in NNPCL’s operations, financial dealings, and plans for the future.
“The Petroleum Industry Act mandates an open and transparent NNPCL, we should not stand idly by while this government violates our laws,” Obi said.
He called on the administration to come clean on the issues and take responsibility for the mess it has created.
“We should not rest until we uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable. The Nigerian people deserve better,” Obi concluded.
Obi’s statement is a clear indication of his dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the fuel scarcity crisis and the lack of transparency in NNPCL’s operations. His call for accountability and transparency is likely to resonate with many Nigerians who are frustrated with the situation.
