Nigerian Govt, NNPC Refute Marketers, El-Rufai’s Claim of Fuel Subsidy Payment

The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, has denied the resurgence of fuel subsidy, challenging those making such claims to provide evidence.

This rebuttal follows assertions by various individuals and groups, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who alleged the return of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, reiterated the government’s stance, asserting, “The President removed the subsidy and it remains removed till today.” He urged detractors to present facts to support their allegations.

In response to El-Rufai’s remarks, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, emphasized that “We are recovering our full costs from the products we import. Contrary to allegations, the petrol subsidy has not been reinstated.”

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Oil marketers, however, echoed El-Rufai’s claims, contending that the subsidy persisted, especially as the dollar exchange rate affected petrol prices. They argued that if not for the subsidy, petrol should cost around N900/litre.

Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chief Ukadike Chinedu, maintained, “The PMS subsidy had been returned… what the government was doing was quasi-subsidy.”

In contrast, NNPC emphasized its commitment to covering its import costs without subsidy. The organization’s CEO, Mele Kyari, reiterated, “No subsidy whatsoever.”

The controversy surrounding fuel subsidy has persisted despite President Bola Tinubu’s announcement in 2023 declaring the end of the subsidy era. His statement led to a significant hike in fuel prices, with the pump price currently ranging between N620 and N700/litre.

While the government maintains its stance on the absence of fuel subsidy, conflicting narratives from various stakeholders contribute to the ongoing debate over petrol pricing and government subsidies.