Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has said fuel smugglers especially to neighbouring countries, would continue to have a field day as long as the Nigerian National Petroleum company (NNPC) Limited, imports fuel and sells it below the landing cost.
Speaking at the 2024 Energy and Labour summit in Abuja, where he also accused security agencies for their complicity in aiding smuggling activities, the State Minister admitted that fuel smuggling from Nigeria to neighboring countries was an issue that could not be entirely eradicated.
Lokpobiri’s submission favours NNPC’s sale of imported fuel at a price above the landing cost, to reduce the potential profit gap and discourage smuggling of the product to neighbouring countries, for high profit by those involved in the shady business.