The Federal Government of Nigeria has denied its involvement in the price increase of petrol despite the hike and scarcity nationwide.
In a statement released by his media aide, Horatius Egua, in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, claimed that PMS price increases had not been approved by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.).
In his words, “There is no reason for President Muhammadu Buhari to renege on his earlier promise not to approve any increase in the price of PMS at this time.
“Mr. President is sensitive to the plight of the ordinary Nigerian and has said repeatedly that he understands the challenges of the ordinary Nigerian and would not want to cause untold hardship for the electorate. ”
The minister further emphasised on the fact that the government has not approved the increase in the price of petrol and would not do this without the presence of key stakeholders.
“This is not the time for any increase in the pump price of PMS,” he said.
He claimed that what was happening was the result of opposition and people attempting to undermine the President’s accomplishments in the oil and gas industry.
“I appeal to Nigerians to remain calm and law abiding as the government is working hard to bring normalcy to fuel supply and distribution in the country,”
Oil marketers have previously confirmed the N10 price hike in the price of petrol and said that it was one of the causes for marketers’ recent price increases on the commodity.
