The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has said that its Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mallam Mele Kyari is not responsible for the hike in the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol.
Some protesters had stormed the headquarters of the oil giant in Abuja, demanding the resignation of Kyari over the increase in the price of petrol across the country.
Reacting to the development, spokesman for the NNPC Limited, Olufemi Soneye, said that the protesters were not adequately informed about the true state of things in Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.
Soneye, in a chat with journalists, said; “Unfortunately, the protesters lack understanding of the sector. If they were informed, they would know that the GCEO is not responsible for the fuel price increase. In fact, he ensured Nigerians had access to fuel at N620 per litre for over one year at a time the landing cost for the product was above N1,100.
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 added that no group or individuals motivated by selfish interests would deter or distract the NNPC Ltd from achieving the goal of implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s roadmap for the sector to ensure energy security for our nation.
“I won’t waste time engaging with individuals motivated by selfish interests. We have more pressing projects to accomplish to ensure energy security for our nation rather than focusing on inconsequential groups. We are committed to implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s roadmap for the sector, and no group will deter or distract us from achieving this goal,” he stated.
Recall that the protesters, led by some civil society organisations, called for the sack of Kyari, citing skyrocketing fuel prices.