Fuel

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, across the country.

In Kano, the price has risen to N904 per litre at NNPCL filling stations.

Contrary to some reports, the Federal Government has denied instructing NNPCL to sell petrol at ₦1,000 per litre.

This clarification was made in a statement issued by Nnemaka Okafor, the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Minister for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, on Tuesday.

The statement dismissed the report as false and intended to cause confusion in the oil industry.

Despite this, an internal message circulating allegedly from NNPCL suggested a different price point.

The message indicated an upward review of the petrol pump price from N617 per litre to N897 per litre, effective September 3, 2024.

The Daily Reality on Tuesday gathered that NNPCL is now officially selling fuel at N904 per litre.

However, the correspondent noted that the station in Hotoro, Nasarawa local government area, was not dispensing fuel to the public, except to familiar individuals, resulting in long queues.

One motorist expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “This is unfortunate; even with the price hike to N904 per litre, only those they know are being allowed to buy fuel. We have been here for over two hours.”

An anonymous staff member at the station revealed that the directive to increase the pump price came from NNPCL on Tuesday.

By Uzair Adam

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) took to streets on Monday to protest against the persistent fuel crisis in Nigeria, calling for immediate government intervention.

The protesters demanded a reduction in petrol prices, which they claimed has caused significant hardship for many Nigerians.

They also called for the dismissal of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, citing his tenure as ineffective in resolving the fuel scarcity.

The protest follows a statement from the NNPCL highlighting that its substantial debt to suppliers is jeopardizing the sustainability of fuel supplies.

Carrying banners with messages such as “We are tired of fuel scarcity and stories on why refineries are not working,” and “No direction under Kyari,” the protesters expressed their frustration over the lack of progress in addressing the crisis.

The demonstration ended at Unity Fountain, where Aminu Abbas, the Convener of the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organisations, voiced his concerns about the ongoing fuel scarcity in a nation rich in oil resources.

He urged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and other leaders to act swiftly to alleviate the situation, stating, “The time to act is now. Show us that you stand with the people, not those who profit from our misery. Mr. Kyari must be shown the way out, and the NNPCL must be reformed to serve the interests of all Nigerians. We will not be silenced.”