The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it does not import adulterated premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.
Olufemi Soneye, chief corporate communications officer of NNPC, spoke on Tuesday while responding to protesters demanding the removal of Mele Kyari, the company’s group chief executive officer (CEO).
Soneye challenged anyone to provide 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 said any oil marketer selling petrol cheaper than the refiner is importing substandard products.
Dangote refinery made the claim after some oil marketers said the refiner’s product is higher than imported petrol.
Also, Soneye said Kyari is not responsible for the increase in petrol price.
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 for the second time last month to N1,025 in Lagos, and N1,050 in Abuja.
Soneye said only those without knowledge would blame the CEO for the price increase.
“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 said despite the protests, NNPC would not be distracted from achieving the goal of implementing President Bola Tinubu’s roadmap for energy security in Nigeria.
