The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has refuted recent claims made by Mr. Kamoru Busari regarding the operational directives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
In a statement addressing the alleged misinformation, Dr Lokpobiri emphasized that he did not instruct NNPCL to halt its refinery operations in favor of focusing solely on equity participation in other refineries. He asserted that such claims are unfounded and do not reflect either his views or the official stance of the Federal Government.
“The NNPCL is governed by the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and operates independently with its own board and management. The Ministry of Petroleum Resources does not exert control over NNPCL, which functions as a corporate entity,” Lokpobiri stated.
He further highlighted that the Nigerian oil and gas sector is fully deregulated, and the government is committed to promoting domestic refining capabilities. “We encourage all companies, including NNPCL, to operate autonomously and in accordance with global best practices. While we provide strategic guidance, we do not interfere in their operational decisions.”
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to supporting NNPCL’s growth and independence, ensuring that its operations meet international standards for efficiency, transparency, and profitability.
