Claims by the Director of Upstream in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources that the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited was stopped from running its three refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna has been shut down by the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri.
During a conference in Lagos Engr. Kamoru Busari who is Director of Upstream in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources said the NNPCL was directed by the Minister of State to concentrate on equity participation in other refineries.
But Mr. Lokpobiri clarified Wednesday that there was no such directive by him or the Ministry.
“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,” Mr. Lokpobiri said in a statement.
“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.
“It is important to clarify that NNPCL is a company governed under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), with a functional board and management. The Ministry of Petroleum Resources does not control or run NNPCL, as it operates independently like any corporate entity.
“The oil and gas sector is fully deregulated, and the Nigerian government remains committed to promoting in-country refining. 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.
“I reaffirm our commitment to supporting the growth and independence of NNPCL, ensuring that its operations are in line with international standards for efficiency and transparency and profitability.”
