NNPCL Responds To False Reports About Ending Fuel Importation

NNPCL Responds To False Reports About Ending Fuel ImportationThe Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has strongly denied reports suggesting that it has ended the importation of refined petroleum products. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the company described the claims as a “misrepresentation and misinterpretation of facts.”....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The reports, which emerged online on Tuesday, cited comments from NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, during his address at the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) conference in Lagos. These reports claimed that Kyari had announced that NNPCL would no longer import fuel and would instead source refined products exclusively from the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries.

However, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Femi Soneye, clarified that while Kyari’s statements were accurately quoted, the interpretations provided in the reports were misleading. Soneye explained that the statements made by Kyari were taken out of context, leading to a false narrative that deviated significantly from the intended meaning.

He said, “While your report quotes the GCEO’s exact words in several instances, you have inserted interpretations that misrepresent the context and meaning of the statement. This misrepresentation has created a false narrative that deviates significantly from the facts.”

Soneye stressed the importance of media organizations exercising due diligence when reporting on sensitive national matters. He pointed out that the specific comments attributed to Kyari were inaccurately presented in the headline and article, which included factually incorrect claims such as the “end of N24tn fuel imports.”

Soneye elaborated that the GCEO’s statement, “Today, NNPC does not import any product; we are only taking from domestic refineries,” should not be interpreted as NNPCL completely ending fuel importation. He clarified that while NNPCL is prioritizing sourcing refined petroleum products from local refineries, this decision is based on the economic viability of local supplies. If local sourcing is cost-effective, it will be prioritized, but the same principle applies to other marketers who will also assess costs when deciding between local procurement or imports.

Furthermore, Soneye emphasized that the authority to grant fuel import licenses lies with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), as outlined by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). He clarified that NNPCL does not control more than 30% of the market, ensuring that the industry remains competitive and free from monopolies, in line with the PIA’s objective to promote a free-market system that benefits consumers.

Soneye also commended the media outlet for accurately reporting NNPCL’s investments in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure, which is part of the company’s broader strategy for energy security and affordability. However, he expressed concern over what he described as a growing trend of deliberate distortions in some of the media reports, urging journalists to seek clarification when unsure about details, particularly on national issues of such significance.

He concluded by urging the media to prioritize accuracy in their reporting, noting that misleading narratives erode public trust and compromise the integrity of journalism.

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