The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timpre Sylva has described reports of an increase in price of fuel as completely untrue.

A statement by the Minister on Friday, March 12,  reads: “Dear Nigerians, you are by now very aware of the news trending that the federal government has increased the price of petrol to N212.6 per liter.

“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, not my humble self who deputies for him as Minister of State, has approved that the pump price of petrol should be increased by one naira.”

Sylvia urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading information, adding: “You are all aware that 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 in the price of crude, which in turn has inevitably led to increase in the price of PMS.

“It is unthinkable that government would unilaterally abandon these discussions and act in the manner suggested by the information under reference,” the minister said.

According to him, “cynism and deceit have never been the trademark of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

He equally assured Nigerians that the engagement with 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 to extort Nigerians should not give in to temptation as there are regulatory mechanism that government can enforce to protect it’s citizens.

He sincerely apologized to all Nigerians for any distress and inconvenience the unfortunate information might have caused.