FG dismisses report of N1000 fuel price hike as scarcity bites

The Federal Government has swiftly denied reports that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to sell fuel at N1000 per litre, above the approved pump price.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Nnemaka Okafor, described the report as baseless and mischievous, aimed at sowing discord and confusion in the oil industry.

The report, which went viral on social media, claimed that Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, had ordered NNPC to hike fuel prices to N1000.

However, the government has categorically denied the claim, reassuring Nigerians that there is no plan to increase fuel prices.

She said, “The Federal Government is compelled to address the outright falsehoods currently being circulated on social media, which claim that the Honourable Minister for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to inflate petroleum prices above the approved pump price.”

“We categorically condemn these claims as baseless, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to incite public discontent.”

“We challenge anyone in possession of any evidence, be it written documents, audio, or video recordings-that supports these fabrications to make it public.”