N1,030/litre: NLC Demands Reversal As Fuel Queues Resurface

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Organized Private Sector have called for an immediate reversal of the recent hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

The NNPC retail stations increased the petrol price to ₦1,030 per litre from ₦897 in Abuja, and in Lagos, the price was raised to ₦998 from ₦868 per litre. Similar price hikes were observed across other locations, sparking widespread frustration among Nigerians.

This is the second increase in petrol prices in just one month, representing about a 14.8% or ₦133 rise. Since the current administration took office 17 months ago, petrol prices have soared by over 430%.

Last month, NNPC raised the pump price of petrol to ₦897 per litre from the previous official price of ₦617 per litre in Abuja. The move came shortly after the NNPC disclosed that it was struggling with a debt burden of $6.8 billion owed to international suppliers.

At the NNPC mega station in the Central Area of Abuja, a customer reported that petrol was being sold at ₦1,030 per litre, although the price was not displayed on the signboard or pump meter. Instead, attendants informed customers of the new price verbally, contrary to standard practices.

A frustrated customer said, “I am very angry right now. I entered this station thinking their price would be better. It was only after I had wasted time in the queue that I was informed by the fuel attendant that the price had risen to ₦1,030.”

This development follows NNPC’s recent decision to end its exclusive purchase agreement with Dangote Refinery, allowing other industry players to buy products directly from the refinery. As a result, oil marketers stated that NNPC’s withdrawal as the sole off-taker of petrol signaled the complete removal of fuel subsidies, leading to a market-driven pricing model.

Reports indicate that petrol prices climbed to ₦1,200 per litre at some stations in Abuja. Eterna stations in the city centre sold petrol at ₦1,200 per litre, while Mobil stations at Arab Junction charged ₦990 per litre. NNPC stations, meanwhile, did not display their prices.

Attempts to reach NNPC’s spokesperson, Femi Soneye, for comments were unsuccessful.

In the wake of the price increase, transportation costs have surged. A one-way trip from Lugbe to Wuse in Abuja now costs ₦1,000, up from the previous fare of ₦700. In Borno State, transport costs have also risen as fuel prices hit ₦1,250 per litre.

Several filling stations, including NNPC retail outlets, were closed, while those that were open charged up to ₦1,250 per litre, causing artificial commodity scarcity in Katsina State. In Ilorin, Kwara State, NNPC stations sold fuel for ₦1,045 per litre, while other stations charged between ₦1,210 and ₦1,300 per litre.

Petrol prices in Edo, Delta, Benue, Abia, and Yobe states ranged from ₦1,098 to ₦1,300 per litre. In Ondo State, stations initially sold fuel for between ₦970 and ₦1,000 in the morning but raised prices to ₦1,115 in the evening.

The NLC and stakeholders demand swift action to reverse these price hikes to alleviate the burden on Nigerians.