By Daniel Edu
The Federal Government, represented by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, refuted assertions made by various individuals and groups regarding the purported reinstatement of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
Challenging those making such claims to provide evidence to support their allegations, the government emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration marked the end of the subsidy era on petrol, a stance that remains unchanged.
Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), addressed the issue, acknowledging the sensitivity surrounding fuel subsidy while affirming the government’s stance. He urged those alleging ongoing subsidy payments to substantiate their claims with facts.
Lokpobiri reiterated, “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.”
Regarding the current petrol pricing mechanism, Lokpobiri indicated that while market forces might not solely determine prices, the government aims to alleviate burdens on Nigerians across various sectors, including petroleum.
Similarly, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) emphasized that it covers its full costs on petroleum products imported into Nigeria, denying the existence of petrol subsidy. NNPC, as the sole importer of petrol into the country, stated that it operates without subsidy.
Contrary to these assertions, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai claimed that the government had resumed petrol subsidy payments. Oil marketers also echoed this sentiment, citing fluctuations in the exchange rate and petroleum prices.
Despite diverging viewpoints, the Federal Government maintains its position on the removal of petrol subsidy, which was announced by President Tinubu in May 2023. The ongoing debate underscores the complexity of petrol pricing and subsidy policies in Nigeria’s energy landscape.