Minister of petroleum resources Lokpobiri denies asking NNPC to stop refinery operations

The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri has said he did not direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to stop running its refineries.

A report emerged recently that Engr. Kamoru Busari, Director of Upstream in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, who represented him at an event in Lagos stated that he directed the company to focus on equity participation in other refineries.

But in his press statement, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), stated: “My attention has been drawn to statements made by Engr. Kamoru Busari, Director of Upstream in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, who represented me at a recent conference in Lagos

“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.

“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.

“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.”

Meanwhile, the minister speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday said Nigeria is expecting up to $50 billion worth of investments in the oil sector before the end of the year.

According to him, with foreign/local investors’ concerns being addressed, coupled with the ‘’audacious’’ efforts to boost oil production to about 2.7 barrels per day, the country is positioned to attract the much needed investments.

Explaining that the quickest way to fix the nation’s socio-economic challenges is through the oil sector, the minister said the federal government is working very hard to use oil resources to industrialise the country.

The ongoing reforms in the oil sector attracting investors; we have addressed their concerns; and we have regained their confidence. We are expecting about $50 billion worth of investment to come in before the end of the year, and once more investors come in, our oil production will increase.

‘’There are so many oil wells that were drilled and locked up; and part of my mandate is to open up those wells to boost our oil production’’, Lokpobiri added.

While saluting the people of the Niger-Delta for maintaining peace in the region, the minister said that the peaceful environment had also encouraged improvement of oil production.

The minister also revealed that the federal government had made substantial gains in the war against oil thieves in the Niger Delta.

According to him, “The marching order given by the President to the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with my ministry, the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and other security agencies, to declare a fresh war on perpetrators of oil theft – to improve oil production and revitalise the nation’s ailing economy, is yielding good results.’’

He explained that President Tinubu is leading in the process of developing the oil sector and attracting investors to the country, stating that the success of the upstream sector is very important to the success of the midstream/ /downstream sector.

The minister stated that Nigeria relies so much on crude oil production, and appealed to the media to be part of the journey to develop the sector. “The President means well for Nigerians; we can trust him to do things differently’’, he said.

On the ongoing total deregulation in the oil sector, he said the country will be better for it.

According to him, “The current situation is no longer sustainable. Even if the federal government is willing to continue with it, we don’t have the money to do it. The NNPC cannot be importing fuel and selling at half price.

“The government needs funds to develop infrastructure and better the lives of Nigerians. The money for the subsidy will be deploy to other things like public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs creation.’’

Senator Lokpobiri explained further that total deregulation of the oil sector was also expected to allow for more private-sector operators in the sector, saying that when the products are available, the price would find its level.