Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President, has criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for not being transparent about owing petrol suppliers $6 billion.
This revelation, announced on Sunday, September 1, has worsened the fuel scarcity issue that has been ongoing in the country for six weeks.
The company’s Chief Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the debt, highlighting the serious financial strain it has caused for the company.
Soneye noted, “NNPC Ltd has acknowledged recent reports regarding its significant debt to petrol suppliers. This financial strain threatens the sustainability of fuel supply.”
He promised that NNPCL is committed to being the last-resort supplier of petroleum products as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and is working with government agencies to ensure a steady supply of fuel nationwide. In response to this news, Atiku expressed serious concern about the situation through his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu.
“What has become of these fictitious or phantom profits you once proudly proclaimed? Layers of deceit and lack of transparency have brought you to this unfortunate juncture,” Atiku stated in a terse statement via X.
He also accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of severely damaging the NNPC, calling the current actions a “harsh dismantling of its assets.”
 for not being transparent about owing petrol suppliers $6 billion.){kind=link}