NNPCL defends industry integrity, urges transparency in media coverage

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has called on the media to adhere to strict fact-checking standards in their coverage of the nation’s oil and gas sector. This appeal was made during a media parley on Friday, 13 September 2024, at Effurun in Uvwie, Delta State, where journalists from both print and digital platforms gathered to discuss current challenges in the sector.

During the session, Solomon Oseagah, one of the media conveners, addressed the ongoing issues concerning petroleum product availability and refinery delays. He assured the attendees that NNPCL was tackling these challenges head-on, especially regarding the Port Harcourt Refinery’s delayed operations.

Mr Oseagah clarified that the refinery delays were not due to unprepared facilities but were part of the GCEO’s strategy to ensure the refineries operate at full capacity before public commissioning. He confirmed that the Port Harcourt Refinery is already producing and would be officially commissioned before the end of the year once all operational aspects are in place. This, he emphasised, would be done in collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure smooth and efficient performance.

Addressing the controversy surrounding NNPCL and Dangote Refinery, Oseagah maintained that NNPCL’s actions were aimed at ensuring the proper functioning of Nigeria’s petroleum sector for the benefit of all citizens. He further clarified that while the NNPCL, Port Harcourt Refinery, Dangote Refinery, Nigerian oil sector, petroleum product availability, Mele Kyari, media transprency, oil and gas industrye market has been deregulated, allowing Dangote Refinery to set its prices, NNPCL remains focused on maintaining the integrity of the industry.

In response to calls for improved transparency, several media representatives encouraged NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mele Kyari, to promote more direct engagement between the public and other companies under the NNPCL umbrella. They argued that this would foster better communication and public understanding of the sector’s dynamics, ultimately leading to greater accountability and collaboration among all stakeholders.