Filling stations operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited have increased fuel prices once more, causing significant concern among motorists. Recent observations indicate that the price of petrol in Abuja has surged from N897 per liter to N1,030.
At NNPC stations in Gwagwalada, Wuse, and Lugbe, motorists lined up as they awaited attendants to begin fuel sales. Similarly, in Lagos, the price per liter has climbed from N885 to N998, resulting in long queues at filling stations throughout the city.
This price adjustment comes on the heels of reports suggesting a potential hike linked to NNPC’s withdrawal as an intermediary in the Dangote Refinery purchase agreement. This marks the second increase in fuel prices by NNPC in the span of just a few weeks, following earlier adjustments between September and October.
As of the time of this report, NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye could not be reached to confirm the new prices. In September, the NNPC disclosed that it had been buying petrol from Dangote Refinery at a rate of N898.78 per liter and selling it to marketers for N765.99 per liter. This arrangement effectively meant that the NNPC was absorbing a subsidy of nearly N133 per liter, a situation the company now claims is unsustainable.
From September 15 to 30, the NNPC lifted approximately 103 million liters of petrol from the Dangote Refinery. During this period, the refinery loaded 2,207 of the 3,621 trucks sent to it, transporting a total of 102,973,025 liters out of a planned 400 million liters, with a loading target of 25 million liters per day.
In light of these developments, the NNPC has announced new prices for various locations across the country, causing unease among consumers already grappling with the rising cost of living. As fuel prices continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact transportation costs and the broader economy in Nigeria.
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