The queues experienced by motorists for Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol which started in February in Abuja and its environs is gradually becoming a history as some more filling stations joined in dispensing the product on Thursday.
Report also has it that some retail outlets sell above the approve price which is N165 per litre. This is mostly experienced in the filling stations at the suburbs of Abuja.
The NMDPRA on Wednesday mentioned that it would meet with oil marketers on issues peculiar to the cost of petrol, payment of bridging claims and other relevant concerns pertaining to downstream oil sector.
While speaking withdrawals the media on the development, the National Public Relations Officer (IPMAN), Chief Ukadike Chinedu, said that the current situation with petrol price is a symbol that the government was in for calls regarding an upward review of fuel price.
According to him, “The issue about increasing PMS price has been their (government) only solution to ending subsidy, but because of this (2023) election that is coming they are restricting themselves.”
When asked whether the government through the NMDPRA had any meeting with IPMAN members, Ukadike stated that he was not aware. In his words, “I’m not aware of any such meeting, but if there was any meeting I’ll let you know. “
Regarding the queue in Abuja and its environment which is now folding up, the IPMAN official owned it to the fact that more marketers returned from the Sallah break to resume business.
The Secretary, Abuja-Suleja IPMAN, Mohammed Shuaibu, whose unit covers Abuja, Kogi, Niger and some parts of Nasarawa and Kaduna while speaking with the media also stated that he was not aware of the meeting between the NMDPRA and marketers.
“I don’t have any information about that. The NMDPRA should come out clean. However, I’ll like to state that the government knows where the problem is,” he said.
“As far as the government allows NNPC to be the sole importer of this product when our refineries are ineffective, then the crisis will continue. We have two refineries in Port Harcourt, one in Warri and another one in Kaduna, which is more or less a scrap right now.
“Since you are importing, you should deregulate and allow those who have the resources to import the product to do so. But the moment you are regulating, the problem will not be solved.
“You don’t expect marketers to buy the product at N167 to N170/litre and bring it to Abuja or neighbouring states to sell at N165/litre. It is impossible. And that is why people are saying they have to sell above that approved price.
“As I’m speaking to you now, they are selling N185/litre and above in Abuja based on what I heard. So where is the government regulating? In all honesty they should come out clean and tell everybody the truth.”
Reports from Lagos has also revealed that fuel queues over there are equally reducing following marketers’ decision to sell petrol above the control price, N165/litre.
While some fuel stations sold at N200/litre, dispensed theirs at N185/litre and some others sold at N165.
A customer by name Ignatius Valentine said he bought at a station belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Ikotun-Egbe at N200/litre.
“I bought at N200/litre in my jerry but the queue is gradually going down. I think they can sell above the normal pump price but let the product be available for use. Most of them have the products but are just waiting for the prices to go up so that they can make more money, ” he said.
A lady who chose to speak anonymously opined that the fuel issue was gradually becoming a history with transport fares returning to their former rates.
