By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief)
Nigeria's Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri Ph.D, said on Tuesday that his attention has been drawn to statements by Engr. Kamoru Busari, Director of Upstream in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, who represented him at a recent conference in Lagos.
The minister stated that the claim that he directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to stop running its own refineries and focus solely on equity participation in other refineries is false. According to him, this does not represent his position as Minister overseeing the oil sector, nor does it reflect the stance of the Federal Government. According to Senator Lokpobiri, "It is important to clarify that NNPCL is a company governed under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), with a functional board and management. The Ministry of Petroleum Resources does not control or run NNPCL, as it operates independently like any corporate entity.
"The oil and gas sector is fully deregulated, and the Nigerian government remains committed to promoting in-country refining. We encourage companies, including NNPCL, to operate independently, following global best practices. While we provide strategic guidance, we do not interfere directly in the operations of these companies.
"I reaffirm our commitment to supporting the growth and independence of NNPCL, ensuring that its operations are in line with international standards for efficiency and transparency and profitability", the Minister said. NNL.
![Valentine Ozigbo (middle), the newly appointed Non-executive Director of The World Freestyle Football Association (WFFA), flanked on the left by Lukas [SURNAME], the [DESIGNATION] of the WFFA, and on the right by Daniel Wood, the Co-Founder and Secretary General of the WFFA in Nairobi Kenya at the World Freestyle Football Championship on Saturday, Nov 26, 2023. (Photo Credit: Feet 'N' Tricks Handout)](/media/jact/small/images/WFFA_APPOINTS_NIGERIAN_BOARD_MEMBER.jpg)
