The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) recently announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from ₦1,020 to ₦899 per litre. Despite this significant price cut, reports indicate that filling stations in various regions, including Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu and other states in the South-East and Northern parts of the country, continue to sell petrol at rates exceeding ₦1,000 per litre.
A survey conducted by SaharaReporters on Monday revealed discrepancies in compliance with the new price regime across several states. In Kwara State, for instance, petrol is being sold for prices ranging between ₦1,020 and ₦1,060 per litre. Similarly, in Minna, the capital of Niger State, while NNPC outlets sell petrol at ₦1,000 per litre, independent filling stations charge between ₦1,050 and ₦1,100 per litre.
In Kano State, NNPC stations offer petrol at ₦990 per litre, yet other stations price it between ₦1,030 and ₦1,080. Meanwhile, in Abuja, the federal capital, NNPC stations sell at ₦965 per litre, but independent marketers sell the product at as high as ₦1,050 per litre in certain communities.
The situation remains comparable in the South-East region. In Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, petrol prices exceed ₦1,000 per litre, while in Anambra State, most filling stations peg the price at ₦1,020 per litre, far above the newly announced ex-depot rate.
Efforts to obtain comments from NNPC’s spokesperson, Femi Shoneye, on the issue proved futile.
