NNPC’s Mele Kyari Slams News Report, Denies Stopping Fuel Imports

Cat:

Related stories

Delta Defection: “Why I Decided To Join APC,” Oborevwori Breaks Silence

By Abiola Olawale Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has...

Details As Court Sentences Gospel Singer Osinachi’s Husband to Death by Hanging

By Abiola Olawale The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court...

Putin Declares 72-Hour Ukraine Ceasefire for May 8-10 to Mark WW2 Victory Anniversary

By Abiola Olawale Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a...

Abia 4% Votes:Tinubu Not Pleased With Me, Other Allies In Southeast

By Kolawole Ojebisi Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing...

By Kolawole Ojebisi

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has dismissed a news report that it has ended the importation of refined petroleum products as a misrepresentation and misinterpretation of fact.

NNPCL said this in reaction to a news report by a national newspaper on Tuesday. The report had credited NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, to have said the operations of the Dangote refinery has signalled the end of fuel importation.

The newspaper extracted its report from the remarks of Kyari who spoke in Lagos at the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists conference themed: ‘Resolving the Nigerian Energy Trilemma: Energy Security, Sustainable Growth and Affordability.’

However, in a statement, Mr Femi Soneye, the NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, submitted that though Kyari’s statement was correctly quoted in the news report, the interpretation contained factually inaccurate assertions and misrepresentations.

“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,” he said.

Soneye described as unfortunate the infusion of incorrect assertions in the GCEO’s statement while warning media organisations to carry out due diligence when reporting sensitive national issues.

“I write to request the right of reply regarding the misrepresentation of the GCEO’s statement on fuel importation in your coverage of the NAPE Conference. Your article, published on November 12, 2024, and titled ‘NNPCL Ends N24tn Fuel Import, Buys from Dangote Refinery,’ contains factually inaccurate assertions.

“The GCEO’s statement, ‘Today, NNPC does not import any product; we are only taking from domestic refineries’, should not be construed to imply that NNPC Ltd. is obligated to be the sole off-taker of any refinery or that we will no longer import fuel.

“While NNPC prioritises sourcing products from domestic refineries, this is contingent upon economic viability. If local supply is cost-effective, it will be preferred, but the same principle applies to other marketers, who will also evaluate total costs when deciding whether to buy locally or import.”

Soneye said economic viability would guide NNPCL in its decisions on whether to source refined petroleum from local refineries or import, noting that there was nowhere in the statement where Kyari announced the end of fuel importation or mentioned N24 trillion contained in the report.

He added, “It is also essential to note that the authority to grant import licences resides with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). NNPC Ltd. does not have control over more than 30% of the market, as stipulated by the PIA, which aims to prevent monopolies.

“The law promotes a free-market system where competition drives efficiency and cost reduction, ensuring that consumers benefit. Domestic refiners must compete on price and value, as patronage cannot be legislated in a deregulated sector.”

He commended the newspaper for accurately reporting that NNPC Ltd was making significant investments in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure as part of its broader energy security and affordability initiatives but warned against further distortion of facts especially as it relates to sensitive national energy security issues.

“However, I must express concern over a recurring trend of deliberate distortions and mischaracterization in some of your recent reports. While we understand that errors can occur, it is imperative that your reporters seek clarification when in doubt, especially on issues of national importance. Misleading narratives undermine public trust and the integrity of your reputable newspaper.”

The New Diplomat
The New Diplomathttps://newdiplomatng.com/
At The New Diplomat, we stand for ethical journalism, press freedom, accountable Republic, and gender equity. That is why at The New Diplomat, we are committed to speaking truth to power, fostering a robust community of responsible journalism, and using high-quality polls, data, and surveys to engage the public with compelling narratives about political, business, socio-economic, environmental, and situational dynamics in Nigeria, Africa, and globally.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

[tds_leads input_placeholder="Your email address" btn_horiz_align="content-horiz-center" pp_msg="SSd2ZSUyMHJlYWQlMjBhbmQlMjBhY2NlcHQlMjB0aGUlMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMiUyMyUyMiUzRVByaXZhY3klMjBQb2xpY3klM0MlMkZhJTNFLg==" pp_checkbox="yes" tdc_css="eyJhbGwiOnsibWFyZ2luLXRvcCI6IjMwIiwibWFyZ2luLWJvdHRvbSI6IjQwIiwiZGlzcGxheSI6IiJ9LCJwb3J0cmFpdCI6eyJtYXJnaW4tdG9wIjoiMTUiLCJtYXJnaW4tYm90dG9tIjoiMjUiLCJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn0sInBvcnRyYWl0X21heF93aWR0aCI6MTAxOCwicG9ydHJhaXRfbWluX3dpZHRoIjo3NjgsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6eyJtYXJnaW4tdG9wIjoiMjAiLCJtYXJnaW4tYm90dG9tIjoiMzAiLCJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn0sImxhbmRzY2FwZV9tYXhfd2lkdGgiOjExNDAsImxhbmRzY2FwZV9taW5fd2lkdGgiOjEwMTksInBob25lIjp7Im1hcmdpbi10b3AiOiIyMCIsImRpc3BsYXkiOiIifSwicGhvbmVfbWF4X3dpZHRoIjo3Njd9" display="column" gap="eyJhbGwiOiIyMCIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTAiLCJsYW5kc2NhcGUiOiIxNSJ9" f_msg_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_input_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_btn_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_pp_font_family="downtown-serif-font_global" f_pp_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxNSIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTEifQ==" f_btn_font_weight="700" f_btn_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxMyIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTEifQ==" f_btn_font_transform="uppercase" btn_text="Unlock All" btn_bg="#000000" btn_padd="eyJhbGwiOiIxOCIsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6IjE0IiwicG9ydHJhaXQiOiIxNCJ9" input_padd="eyJhbGwiOiIxNSIsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6IjEyIiwicG9ydHJhaXQiOiIxMCJ9" pp_check_color_a="#000000" f_pp_font_weight="600" pp_check_square="#000000" msg_composer="" pp_check_color="rgba(0,0,0,0.56)" msg_succ_radius="0" msg_err_radius="0" input_border="1" f_unsub_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_msg_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxMyIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTIifQ==" f_input_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxNCIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTIifQ==" f_input_font_weight="500" f_msg_font_weight="500" f_unsub_font_weight="500"]

Latest stories

Latest News
Supreme Court Overturns N22 Trillion Judgment Against Union Bank, Ends 25-Year Legal TussleDelta Defection: "Why I Decided To Join APC," Oborevwori Breaks SilenceDetails As Court Sentences Gospel Singer Osinachi’s Husband to Death by HangingPutin Declares 72-Hour Ukraine Ceasefire for May 8-10 to Mark WW2 Victory AnniversaryAbia 4% Votes:Tinubu Not Pleased With Me, Other Allies In SoutheastCardinals Set To Elect Pope Francis's Successor As Conclave Kick-off On SoonExam Schedules: Our Timeline Makes Space For Unexpected Outcome, JAMB Replies Obi Over CriticismFULL LIST: Davido, Tems, Rema, Zerry DL, Others Bag Award at 17th Headies Awards 2025‘I’ll Be The Last Man Standing In APC,’ Kebbi Gov. Breaks Silence On Defection RumoursDrama As Bayelsa Gov., Pro-Wike Group Trade Blame Over Rally ShootingsWhy I Can't Associate With Tinubu Again -- Ex-LP Campaign Spokesman, OkonkwoGrowing Poverty:Sanwo-Olu Slams Peter Obi, Tells 2023 LP Presidential Candidate To Stop "De-marketing" Nigeria2027: Tinubu Unbeatable Without Coalition, LP Ex-spokesman, Okonkwo Warns Opposition PartiesA Pope's Funeral And New Leadership Paradigm, By Dakuku Peterside  Djebah Welcomes Oborevwori into the APC Family
X whatsapp