Lokpobiri Clarifies Statement On NNPCL Refinery Operations

By Daniel Dafe

Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri Ph.D., Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil) has reacted to statements made by Engr. Kamoru Busari, Director of Upstream in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, who represented him at a recent conference in Lagos.

Buasari in his address had said that the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil)I had directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to stop running its own refineries and focus solely on equity participation in other refineries.

In a statement on Tuesday, Lokpobiri described the directive credited to him as false, adding that this does not represent his position as Minister overseeing the oil sector, nor does it reflect the stance of the Federal Government.

He said: “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.

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“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,” he concluded.