By Matthias Ogbagah

ABUJA – The federal government has debunked reports in some quarters that the Petroleum Ministry had told NNPCL to sell fuel at prices higher than the approved retail price.

While debunking the report in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 3, signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister of State on Petroleum, Nneamaka Okafor, the government said the report was designed to sow controversy and problems in the oil industry.

Nneamaka said, “FG has not intervened in NNPCL oil prices, let alone recommendations for price increases.”

She said, “The Federal Government must correct the false information currently circulating on social media that the Honorable Minister of Petroleum Resources (Petroleum), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to increase the price of oil above the agreed price.”

“We strongly reject these claims as false, malicious, and intended to provoke public anger.”

“We ask that anyone with evidence supporting these fabrications – whether written, audio or video – come forward. It should be emphasized that NNPCL is a private entity under the Companies and Activities Act (CAMA) and the board of directors is vested with all powers.”

“The Ministry of Petroleum Resources does not and will not interfere in the internal decisions of the NNPCL, including in matters of remuneration. Any other view is misleading and shows a deep misunderstanding of the degenerate nature of the Nigerian oil industry.”