Nigeria’s minister of state for petroleum resources, Heineken Lokpobiri,has debunked a claim that he ordered a halt on the running of refining operations by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The internet was riddled with reports that the Director of Upstream in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Kamoru Busari, who represented the minister at an event has said that NNPCL was directed to stop operations of its refineries and focus solely on equity participation in other refineries.

However, reacting to these claims, the minister in a statement said such claim is false.

He said, “I wish to categorically state that the claim that I directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to stop running its own refineries and focus solely on equity participation in other refineries is false. This does not represent my position as Minister overseeing the oil sector, nor does it reflect the stance of the Federal Government.”

He added that the NNPCL as a company was established under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), with a functional board and management.

Lokpobiri said his ministry has no mandate to control or run the activities of the NNPCL because the company operates independently like any corporate entity.

He added, “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.”

He further assured the general public that the ministry of petroleum resources will at all times provide strategic guidance and would not interfere directly in the operations of the NNPCL.

The minister also said his ministry is totally committed to supporting the growth and independence of the company by ensuring that its operations are in line with international standards at all times.