The Federal Government has dismissed recent rumours claiming that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to raise fuel prices to ₦1000 per litre.
The reports, which spread rapidly on social media, have been described as false and misleading.
The controversy began when a viral report alleged that Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, instructed NNPCL to sell fuel at the inflated price.
The report suggested that this move would significantly increase the cost of fuel beyond the currently approved rates.
However, in a swift and firm response, Nnemaka Okafor, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, issued a statement on Tuesday to address the matter.
“The Federal Government strongly refutes these claims and deems them as a deliberate attempt to create confusion and unrest within the oil industry,” Okafor said.
“These allegations are not only false but also malicious in nature.”
Okafor further explained that the Federal Government has not issued any directives regarding changes in fuel pricing.
“We want to make it clear that the Federal Government has not interfered with NNPCL’s pricing policies. Any suggestion to the contrary is a blatant lie.”
According to the statement, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources has not authorized any increase in fuel prices.
“We condemn these claims and urge anyone with evidence to substantiate these allegations to present it publicly,” Okafor added.
Fuel prices in Nigeria have been a sensitive and contentious issue for many years. In the past, sudden increases in fuel prices have led to widespread public protests and economic hardship.
The NNPCL is responsible for the production and distribution of petroleum products in Nigeria.
The company’s pricing is regulated by the government to ensure that prices remain within a range that is affordable for most Nigerians.
