In response to recent social media reports alleging that the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to sell fuel at an inflated price of N1000 per liter, the Federal Government has categorically dismissed these claims as baseless and malicious.
The false report, which has been widely circulated, appears to have been deliberately crafted to mislead the public and incite unnecessary panic. In a statement released on Tuesday, Nnemaka Okafor, Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Petroleum, firmly refuted the accusations, describing them as a concoction aimed at sowing discord within the oil industry.
“There was never a time the Federal Government interfered with petroleum pricing through the NNPCL, let alone issued directives for price increments,” Okafor stated. The government has made it clear that the allegations against Lokpobiri are not only unfounded but are also an intentional attempt to create confusion among the public.
The statement emphasized that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources does not interfere in the internal decisions of NNPCL, particularly concerning pricing. “NNPCL operates as an independent entity under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), with a fully empowered Board of Directors,” Okafor noted. “Any suggestion that the Ministry directs NNPCL’s pricing decisions is incorrect and reveals a profound misunderstanding of the deregulated nature of Nigeria’s petroleum sector.”
To further clarify, Okafor challenged anyone with evidence—whether in the form of written documents, audio, or video recordings—to present it publicly. The Federal Government’s stance is that these claims are entirely devoid of truth and should be recognized as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
The misinformation appears to have stemmed from a misinterpretation of comments made by Lokpobiri regarding fuel smuggling and pipeline vandalism. Lokpobiri had explained that if NNPCL imports Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and sells it to marketers at a significantly lower price, such as N600 or below, it would be challenging to curb fuel smuggling, even with heightened security measures. He was elaborating on the difficulties in addressing fuel smuggling, not advocating for a price increase.
In conclusion, the Federal Government has urged the public to disregard the false reports and remain calm, as there is no truth to the claims that Lokpobiri directed NNPCL to sell fuel at an exorbitant price. The Ministry remains committed to maintaining transparency and ensuring that the petroleum sector operates efficiently and in the best interest of all Nigerians.
