NNPCL interference in distribution of locally refined petrol economic sabotage – CNPP
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, has said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, interference in the distribution of locally refined petroleum products is nothing but a national economic sabotage.
In a statementin Taraba State on Tuesday, it urged NNPCL to immediately cease its meddling and allow Dangote Refinery and other local refineries to operate freely, ensuring competitive pricing and supply.
Signed by its National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, the conference expressed deep concern over the lingering controversy surrounding the pricing of petrol from the Dangote Refinery, citing far-reaching implications for the economy, livelihoods, and democracy in Nigeria and Africa.
The discrepancy, according to the CNPP, raises questions about transparency, accountability, and the potential for exploitation of ordinary citizens.
It expressed concern at the high pump price of petrol, which it believed had exacerbated hunger and hardship among the masses, with fuel queues becoming a common sight and prices tripling since the subsidy removal in May 2023.
“NNPCL constituting itself as a middleman in the distribution of locally refined products undermines the oil refining companies’ potential to provide relief to Nigerians.
“We demand that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through its company, the NNPCL, ceases its meddling and allows Dangote Refinery to operate freely, ensuring competitive pricing and supply,”. it stated
The conference argued that the concealment of information and lack of transparency in NNPCL’s operations were unacceptable, and questioned whether the National Assembly approved extra-budgetary expenditures and the processes adopted by NNPCL for loan repayments with crude oil.
“For instance, NNPCL is said to be using crude oil for debt repayments either on behalf of itself or on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria. But this has remained a secret or a mere speculation,” CNPP stated.
