The Federal Government, through its Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, refuted claims of the reinstatement of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol.
In response to mounting claims, the government emphasized the need for substantiated evidence to support such assertions. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, reiterated the government’s stance on the matter, stating, “As far as I’m concerned, the President removed the subsidy and it remains removed till today.”
Lokpobiri’s stance was further echoed by his media aide, Nneamaka Okafor, who provided a video clip where Lokpobiri addressed the claims made by former Kaduna governor and oil marketers.
In the video, Lokpobiri emphasized the cessation of petrol subsidy and urged individuals alleging otherwise to present concrete evidence.
The minister said, “I don’t want to delve into that issue. It is a very sensitive issue. It is better we get all the facts. As far as I’m concerned, the President removed the subsidy and it remains removed till today. Anybody who is saying that subsidy is being paid, it is left for the person to bring the facts and then we will talk about them.”
Asked whether the price being paid for petrol currently is determined by market forces, the minister replied, “It may not be determined by market forces but let us deal with the price as it is today.”
“Every government has a duty to do certain things, not only in the petroleum sector but in several other sectors, to be able to cushion the effect and burden on Nigerians.”