The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Limited, on Tuesday morning, increased its pump price of fuel from N617 per litre to N897 per litre.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Tuesday morning, fueling stations owned by NNPC Retail Limited adjusted their pump price, selling at N897 as against N617 per litre. Independent marketers are selling between N930 to N1,000.
As against the rumour that NNPCL are to increase petroleum prices to N1,000.
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, on Tuesday said no directive was issued to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) to increase petroleum prices to N1,000.
Mr Lokpobiri, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Communication, Nnemaka Okafor, said he did not direct the NNPC Ltd. or any other entity within the sector to manipulate prices.
“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.
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“We urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and rely solely on information from verified and official channels,” he said.
Meanwhile, the said new price have not been publicly announced.
When contacted as regards the news, the Chief Communications Officer, Mr Olufemi Soneye, said he was not aware of any price increase.
“I’m not aware of this. Thank you for reaching out. I have no comment on the matter at this time.
“If there are any updates, I will make sure to inform you. I appreciate your understanding,” he responded.
