The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has stated that it does not import adulterated “premium motor spirit” (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of NNPC, made the statement on Tuesday while responding to protesters who were calling for the removal of Mele Kyari, the company’s group chief executive officer (CEO).
According to NAN, civil society organizations had gathered at the NNPC headquarters in Abuja to protest the recent hike in petrol prices.
Soneye challenged anyone to present evidence that NNPC is importing adulterated petrol.
“The NNPC Ltd. does not import adulterated fuel. If anyone has evidence to the contrary, they should bring forward samples of any such fuel imported by NNPC Ltd,” he said.
“We have more pressing projects to accomplish to ensure energy security for our nation.”
On November 3, Dangote Petroleum Refinery claimed that any oil marketer selling petrol cheaper than the refiner is importing substandard products.
Dangote refinery made this assertion after some oil marketers argued that the refiner’s product is priced higher than imported petrol.
Additionally, Soneye clarified that Kyari is not to blame for the increase in petrol prices.
NNPC raised the price of petrol from N855 per litre in September to N998 per litre on October 3.
On October 28, NNPC increased the pump price again, marking the second hike in the month, to N1,025 in Lagos and N1,050 in Abuja.
Soneye emphasized that only those without the facts would blame the CEO for the price hike.
“If they were informed, they would know that the GCEO is not responsible for the fuel price increase,” he said.
“In fact, the GCEO ensured that Nigerians had access to fuel at N620 per litre for over a year, even when the landing cost was above N1,100.”
Soneye concluded by stating that despite the protests, NNPC would not be distracted from pursuing the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s roadmap for energy security in Nigeria.
