NNPC has denied importing adulterated petrol, responding to allegations amid protests over recent price hikes. The company, led by Mele Kyari, reaffirmed its commitment to quality standards and clarified that the GCEO is not responsible for fuel price increases, which have surged significantly in recent months.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has refuted claims that it imports adulterated petrol following protests outside its Abuja headquarters. Olufemi Soneye, NNPC's Chief Corporate Communications Officer, addressed the allegations on Tuesday. He challenged critics to provide proof of any substandard fuel being imported by the company.
The protests were sparked by a recent increase in petrol prices, with civil society organizations calling for the resignation of NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari. Soneye responded by stating that NNPC adheres to strict fuel quality standards and invited anyone with evidence of adulterated fuel to present it.
These demonstrations came after remarks by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, suggesting that any oil marketer selling petrol at a price lower than Dangote’s was likely offering substandard fuel. Soneye, however, defended NNPC’s practices, stressing that fuel price hikes are not under Kyari’s direct control. He clarified that the CEO is not responsible for the price changes, highlighting that under Kyari’s leadership, NNPC maintained a price of N620 per litre for over a year despite a much higher landing cost.
The surge in petrol prices has been significant, with NNPC increasing the cost from N855 per litre in September to N998 in October, and further raising prices on October 28 to N1,025 in Lagos and N1,050 in Abuja. Despite the public outcry, NNPC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s energy security and long-term energy plans.
