The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has denied reports being circulated by industry unions that the Federal Government is planning to privatize the nation’s refineries, the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and the National Gas Company (NGC).

A statement issued  by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, and made available to Vanguard  stated that there is no such plan to privatize any of the Corporation”s subsidiaries and appealed to the unions to remain calm.

“I wish to categorically state that there is no clandestine move whatsoever to privatize the nation”s refineries, the PPMC or the NGC; rather efforts are in top gear by the Federal government to ensure the speedy reform of the industry,”” he said.

Dr. Ajuonuma averred that the Federal Government along with the NNPC is working towards the quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill which is currently before the National Assembly.

He appealed to the unions to discountenance the rumour and avoid the temptation of overheating of the polity, assuring that all hands are on deck to ensure a holistic reform of the industry for the better.