The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has refuted claims that he instructed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to halt the operation of its refineries.
The minister’s clarification came in response to statements attributed to Engr. Kamoru Busari, Director of Upstream in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, who represented him at an event in Lagos.
In a statement, Lokpobiri said: “My attention has been drawn to statements made by Engr. Kamoru Busari, Director of Upstream in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, who represented me at a recent conference in Lagos.”
He continued, “I wish to categorically state that the claim that I directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to stop running its own refineries and focus solely on equity participation in other refineries is false. This does not represent my position as Minister overseeing the oil sector, nor does it reflect the stance of the Federal Government.”
Lokpobiri emphasised that NNPCL operates independently as a corporate entity governed under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), with its board and management. He clarified that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources does not control or run the company directly, adding that the oil and gas sector in Nigeria is fully deregulated.
He stated, “The Nigerian government remains committed to promoting in-country refining, and we encourage companies, including NNPCL, to operate independently, following global best practices. While we provide strategic guidance, we do not interfere directly in the operations of these companies.”
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the growth and independence of NNPCL, ensuring that it operates in line with international standards of efficiency, transparency, and profitability.
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