Government Denial
The Federal Government has strongly denied reports of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources ordering NNPCL to hike fuel prices. It refuted claims that Minister Heineken Lokpobiri instructed NNPCL to raise the pump price by N1,000. The government declared these allegations completely baseless. Official statements emphasized that it had never issued such directives.
Clarification from the Ministry
Nnemaka Okafor, Special Adviser to Minister Lokpobiri, issued a statement declaring the report a deliberate falsehood to create industry discord. He emphasized that the government has never meddled in petroleum pricing or directed NNPCL to increase prices. The statement highlighted the Federal Government’s non-involvement in setting fuel prices. It confirmed that no directives to raise prices have ever been issued to NNPCL.
Response to Social Media Claims
Addressing misinformation circulating on social media, the official statement from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources denounced the rumors as malicious and baseless. The statement challenges anyone with evidence of such directives to come forward, firmly asserting that Senator Heineken Lokpobiri or any other government official never issued such a directive.
Operational Independence of NNPCL
The statement further explained that NNPCL functions independently under the Companies and Allied Matters Act with an empowered Board of Directors. It emphasized that the Ministry does not meddle in NNPCL’s internal decisions, particularly concerning pricing. This underscores the company’s autonomy within the deregulated sector. The Ministry’s non-interference policy reinforces NNPCL’s operational independence.
Government’s Stance on Regulation
The Ministry of Petroleum Resources reaffirmed its commitment to not interfere in NNPCL’s operational decisions, including pricing matters. This policy aims to dispel misconceptions about Nigeria’s deregulated petroleum sector. It seeks to align public understanding with the government’s actual policies. The ministry ensures transparency in its regulatory stance to foster public trust. This approach is vital for maintaining stability in the petroleum market.
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