Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has slammed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its admission of a $6 billion debt to petrol suppliers.
After months of denials, the NNPCL on Sunday, admitted that the cause of the lingering fuel scarcity in the country was the debt owed to the suppliers.
While confirming the debt in a statement, the NNPCL Chief Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, said the severe financial strain on the company’s operations has made fuel supply inconsistent.
Soneye also acknowledged recent reports regarding the significant debt to petrol suppliers, but assured that NNPCL remained committed to its role as the supplier of last resort as outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)
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He added that the company was working with government agencies to ensure a consistent supply of petroleum products nationwide.
Atiku, who reacted to the development in a statement issued on Monday his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, expressed concerns over the situation and the lack of transparency from the NNPCL.
He said: “What has become of these fictitious or phantom profits you once proudly proclaimed? Layers of deceit, and pit of lies and lack of transparency have brought you to this unfortunate juncture. ”
He also accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of driving the NNPCL to ruin, describing the current actions as the ruthless dismantling of its assets.
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