NNPC: We Do Not Import Adulterated Petrol

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has rejected allegations that it imports adulterated premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, following protests at its Abuja headquarters.

Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, responded to the accusations on Tuesday, challenging critics to provide evidence of any substandard fuel imported by the company.

This response follows protests by civil society organizations outside NNPC’s offices, where demonstrators called for the removal of Mele Kyari, the NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), in reaction to recent petrol price hikes.

Soneye insisted that the company adheres to strict quality standards, stating, “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.”

The protest comes in the wake of a recent claim by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which stated that any oil marketer selling petrol at a price lower than that of Dangote’s refinery is likely distributing substandard fuel.

This assertion followed claims by some marketers that Dangote’s petrol prices were higher than those of imported alternatives.

In response to accusations that Mele Kyari is responsible for the recent spike in petrol prices, Soneye clarified that price adjustments are beyond the CEO’s control. He explained, “If they were informed, they would know that the GCEO is not responsible for the fuel price increase.”

He also emphasized that, under Kyari’s leadership, NNPC kept the price of petrol at N620 per litre for over a year, despite the landing cost exceeding N1,100.

Petrol prices have surged dramatically, with NNPC increasing rates from N855 per litre in September to N998 in October, and then further raising prices on October 28 to N1,025 in Lagos and N1,050 in Abuja.

Despite the public outcry, NNPC has reiterated its commitment to advancing President Bola Tinubu’s roadmap for national energy security.

Soneye concluded by stating that the company remains focused on key projects to ensure Nigeria’s energy future, undeterred by the ongoing protests.