Federal Govt Speaks On Return Of Fuel Subsidy. The Federal Government, along with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), have strongly refuted claims suggesting the return of fuel subsidy, emphasizing that such assertions are baseless.
Challenging those spreading the misinformation, they called for concrete evidence to support the claim that subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, had been reinstated.
It was reiterated that since President Bola Tinubu declared the end of the petrol subsidy, there have been no changes in the situation.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, emphasized the sensitivity of the fuel subsidy issue but clarified that the government’s stance on the matter has been clearly communicated.
When questioned about the allegations, Lokpobiri’s media aide, Nneamaka Okafor, provided a video clip where the minister addressed the claims, affirming that the subsidy removal remains in effect.
Lokpobiri urged anyone alleging the continuation of fuel subsidy to present verifiable evidence to substantiate their claims.
He stated, “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 determination of petrol prices, Lokpobiri indicated that while market forces may not currently dictate the price, the government has a responsibility to mitigate the burden on Nigerians across various sectors, including the petroleum industry.