Petrol Price Increases As Scarcity Looms

Against the government regulated price of N97 per litre, most filling stations in parts of Ogun and Lagos now sell premium motor spirit, popularly called petrol, at N100 per litre, it was learnt this morning.

Sources at some of the filling stations visited told our correspondent that the price increase came into effect Monday as many filling stations have been unable to get the product, which forced them to start selling their reserve stock.

While some of the filling stations sold at the new, but illegal price, others simply shut their dispensing machines, informing motorists and customers that the product was not available.

At the Fowobi Filling Station in Ojuore, Ota, Ogun State Tuesday morning, the filling station attendants dispensed petrol at N100 per litre even when their machines displayed N96.80 per litre. They also refused to answer any query on the price change.

Other gas stations such as S.O., SAKABEP and Forte Oil on Ilo-Awela road, Jimkem and Bravo Investment Nigeria around the Toll Gate area of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway sold at N100 per litre while Oando Filling Station at Alakuko did not have the product when reporters called at the station.

Others which had no fuel this morning include Jomess filling station at Kola area, Lakeshore, Conoil around Meiran, Energy Base in Meiran, BSL and Energy filling stations in Ijaiye.

Fuel stations around Ahmaddiyya were dispensing petrol at different prices between N97 and N100 per litre.

It was however observed that the NNPC and Total stations were dispensing petrol at the normal price.
Some motorists lamented the price hike while a manager at one of the filling stations, who spoke in confidence, told newsmen that the situation may become worse in the coming days if the product is not distributed as soon as possible.

“We are also confused as to the actual reason why we do not have petrol. We applied for some days now, but distributors have been telling us different stories,” he said.

Attempt to reach Folorunsho Ogini, chairman of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, was not successful as his phone line was not reachable.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had, however, denied speculation of scarcity of the product days ago saying it had enough quantity to last Nigeria for months.

 P.M.NEWS