The federal government has apologised to Nigerians over the distress and inconvenience they may have suffered following reports of an increase in the pump price of petrol.
He said there was no change in the price of petrol.
Quoting Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, there were reports that the pump price of petrol had been increased to N212.61 per litre for the month of March.
But addressing journalists on Friday in Lagos, the minister said the information was untrue.
His words: “I want to sincerely apologise to all Nigerians for any distress and inconvenience the unfortunate information might have caused.”
He added: “Irrespective of the source of that information, I want to assure you that it is completely untrue.
“Neither Mr President who is the Minister of Petroleum Resources nor myself who deputise for him as minister of state has approved that petrol price should be increased by one naira.
“I therefore urge you to disregard this misleading information.”
According to him, for the past few months, the government has been in consultation with organised labour to find the least painful option to respond to the global rise of crude price which has inevitably led to increase in petrol prices.
He said it was unthinkable that government would unilaterally abandon these discussions and act in the manner suggested by the information under reference.
Sylva maintained that cynicism and deceit had never been the trademark of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“I will like to equally assure you that the engagement with the organised labour and other stakeholders will continue even as the calculations to arrive at a reasonable price regime are being done; all in good faith and you will be availed of the final outcome at the appropriate time.
“Until then, all marketers are strongly advised to maintain the current pump price of PMS before the emergence of this unfortunate information.
“Those who may want to take advantage of this unfortunate information to extort Nigerians should not give in to such temptations as there are regulatory mechanisms that government can enforce to protect its citizens.”
Source: NAN
