The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has called on the media to direct their attention toward the agencies responsible for the availability of petroleum products in the country in the course of carrying out their duties as journalists in the country, especially from the South-South.
This appeal was made during a media parley on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Effurun in Uvwie, Delta State, where select journalists from the print and online news organisations discussed pressing issues in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
In his remark, one of the media conveners said the ongoing challenges regarding the availability of petroleum products and the delays being experienced in the nation’s refineries were being tackled headlong by the company.
He emphasised that journalists should do diligent checks and remain objective while reporting activities of the agency.
He pointed out that the media and public attention have been misdirected towards NNPCL, while failing to understand that the company has government agencies that gives it directives which they merely act upon.
According to Mr. Tega Oliver, the NMDPRA is tasked with overseeing and addressing issues related to petroleum product supply, and it should be the main point of contact for media inquiries. He noted that NMDRA has offices in all states where journalists can raise alarm where they notice foul play.
He stressed that the excessive focus on NNPCL by media practitioners has led to a lack of accountability and oversight of other players in the energy sector, urging journalists to redirect their scrutiny towards other regulatory bodies as well as the NNPCL and hold all of them fairly accountable.
On the topic of delays in refinery operations, particularly at the Port Harcourt refinery, Mr. Oliver clarified that these setbacks are not due to the unpreparedness of the facilities but the desire of the GCEO to see that everything is set to work to maximum capacity before announcement to Nigerians. He assured attendees that once these are resolved, President Bola Tinubu will be able to commission the refinery, as its successful startup depends on effective collaboration among various agencies. He noted that the Port Harcourt refinery is already producing and will be commissioned before the end of the year.
Responding to ongoing controversies between NNPCL and Dangote Refinery, Oliver defended NNPCL’s position, asserting that the corporation’s actions aim to ensure the proper functioning of the Nigerian petroleum industry for the benefit of all Nigerians.
He reiterated that NNPCL is committed to maintaining industry integrity and performance and has no issues whatsoever with Dangote refinery but it will not be the one to fix the prices for Dangote as the market has been deregulated.
The meeting also highlighted the need for greater transparency within NNPCL. It was agreed that Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari should facilitate clearer communication by allowing representatives from other companies and agencies under the NNPCL umbrella to engage directly with the public through the media and make discussions such as these that enlighten journalists to be frequent, as well as organise trainings in the energy sector.
This initiative they said is aimed to improve public understanding of the various roles and responsibilities within the petroleum sector, fostering accountability and collaboration among all stakeholders.
