By Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA—The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has dismissed insinuations of any increment in the pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly called petrol.

The dismissal came on the heels of widespread panic in Abuja yesterday that major petrol stations, including the retail outlets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation, NNPC, had jerked up their pump prices from the official N145 to N149 per litre.

Kachikwu, who was approached by our reporter at the end of a meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leaders of Niger Delta at the presidential Villa, Abuja, said government had not announced any change in pump prices.

“Have you heard me announce any increment? Wait until you hear from my mouth,” he said.