Energy
FG, Independent Marketers, Labour At Daggers Drawn Over Fuel Price
Palpable fear of mass tumult against the Nigerian Government owing to harsh economic realities might have forced the hand of the authorities in making public statements that there would be no further increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol.
But this has not gone down well with the independent marketers, who insist that given the current market realties, there would be costs that the government has to take up or would be passed to the people.
In plain language, the marketers are insisting that either subsidy is reinstated or market forces would continue to determine the prices of products.
Biztellers served you a report that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) made it clear that it was not considering an upward adjustment in the pump price of petrol.
The state oil company, took its verified X (initially Twitter) handle, @nnpclimited late Monday to make the assertion.
The tweet, seen in several quarters as a move to douse tensions, was addressed to customers.
It reads, “Dear esteemed customers, we at NNPC Retail value your patronage, and we do not have the intention to increase our PMS pump prices as widely speculated.
“Please buy the best quality products at the most affordable prices at our NNPC Retail Stations nationwide.”
Being sensitive to the fact that he had been sitting on a keg of gunpowder, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu followed up on the tweet by NNPCL with his own tweet, assuring that there would be no hike in the pump prices.
On Tuesday, President Tinubu in an attempt at reassuring the populace, declared that there would not increase in the pump price of petrol.
President Tinubu at his verified official X handle, @NGRPresident tweeted, “Mr President and the industry stakeholders who have been widely consulted and convinced, based on information before them, that we can maintain current pricing without reversing our deregulation policy by swiftly cleaning up existing inefficiencies within the midstream and downstream Petroleum sector.
“This is why there is no increase in prices at this time”.
The statement, which was per say, issued under the seal of President Tinubu under the subject, “On the Purported Pending Increase in Fuel Prices” was signed by Official Spokesperson to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ajuri Ngelale.
Many informed Nigerians have been reacting to the posturing from government quarters – the NNPCL and the Presidency, in a way that has made it begin to sound like a grandstanding by the authorities.
For instance, the statement from President Tinubu had spoken about consulting and convincing stakeholders with available information.
It also pointed to ‘cleanup’ of certain areas of the midstream and downstream sector without letting the world know what was required, who would be responsible and how long it would take.
The first salvo against the attempt to pool the wool over the people’s eyes was from fiery Nigerian journalist, Rufai Oseni, who asked for details of what it cost to get petrol to the pump for dispensing to consumers.
He took to his verified X handle, @ruffydfire to call attention to the fact that information being bandied in the public might have been inadequate.
He tweeted, “Dear NNPC, kindly let us know how you calculate petrol prices in Nigeria, stating inspection cost, Landing from Amsterdam or Rotterdam to Togo or to Nigeria, then state other cost components that make up the final price, factor in fx fluctuations.
“Thank you”.
Another sensitive aspect is that those in power want the world to believe that the market has been deregulated and will remain so but the reality on ground speaks differently.
Fuel queues are already beginning to show in certain parts of Nigeria, including Lagos and Abuja, while price hike is manifest with independent marketers having adjusted pump prices in different locations in tune with realities.
The base pump price of petrol has shifted from N612/litre to N670/litre. It was gathered that that the minimum price applied to NNPCL Retail outlets and some other filling stations, while others determined what prices to sell at.
Expectations are rife that this adjustment would see petrol being sold at above N800/litre at filling stations across Nigeria in locations outside Lagos and Abuja.
It had been hovering around N750/lite in those locations before this recent impact of foreign exchange and Brent price at the global market.
As that is playing out, Ngelale shared a graphic presentation of pump prices of petrol across West Africa, depicting Nigeria as the lowest.
Interestingly the second and more important salvo had come from the stakeholders that President Tinubu’s statement claimed were consulted and convinced.
The Independent Oil Marketers have taken the position that only a return to the subsidy regime would see the current price maintained.
Secretary, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abuja-Suleja, Mohammed Shuaibu, on Tuesday, opined that government should reconsider reversing itself because the subsidy removal has come with adverse economic impact.
He said, “Let them not do the needful. (Else, there) will see the consequences. We learned this morning that Kenya, which equally removed subsidy and noticed that its effect was so hard on the citizens, has again resumed the subsidy regime for the period of two months,”
He added, “Government is about the people and must have a listening ear. For Nigeria, how can we be an oil producing nation with four refineries and all of them are down?
“When he (President Tinubu) announced it (subsidy removal), we said it was going to bring problems. Are we not feeling the consequences of that announcement now? It is forex that largely determines the cost of petroleum products here.
“Marketers are not willing to import products again. So, if the government is going to relax the removal of subsidy for a while, it should better do that as a matter of urgency.”
While the government quarters and the relevant stakeholders are engaged in what now appears to be mind games and structured perception management messaging, Oseni on Tuesday shared what he considered the presenting landing cost of petrol in Nigeria.
He tweeted, “A breakdown of the landing cost of petrol showed that while product cost, as of yesterday (Monday August 14, 2023), was N627.82 per litre, finance cost was N11.61, and operations/administrative cost, N12.32, bringing the total landing cost to N651.75 per litre”.
As things stand, it appears that the reality confronting Nigerians is sterner economic hardship which would follow additional increases in the pump prices of petrol.
Alternatively, the government would have to swallow her pride and go back to subsidy.
Analysts are of the opinion that all outlets serving petrol below the calculated landing cost must have an avenue to recoup the outlay, which signals the obituary of the subsidy removal policy of the President Tinubu administration.
Given that organised labour, through the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) had placed relevant stakeholders on notice of immediate industrial action any time pump price of petrol is increased, it portends that a lot of wisdom would be required to avert crises in the present circumstances.
Shell has called for the development of infrastructure to promote the growth of domestic gas and monetisation of the resource.
At a panel session at the just concluded Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja, Managing Director Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) Ralph Gbobo, said, “The infrastructure will support the delivery of gas from producers to consumers in an efficient way that is also transparent and cost effective.”
Ralph described infrastructure as the bedrock of a thriving gas industry, citing the Escravos – Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) which feeds the domestic gas market as an example. He said: “If we can fully implement our regulations, a key one being the Network Code and maintain a stable Network where investors can get their returns, I can guarantee that we will see more players come into this space.”
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SNG which was established in 1988 has led the way in the provision of gas infrastructure in Nigeria, building gas distribution systems in Rivers, Abia and Ogun states through which it delivers gas to over 140 domestic, industrial and commercial customers. Last year, the company signed an agreement with the Oyo State Government to build a gas distribution infrastructure with the intention of delivering gas to businesses in the state and beyond.
Ralph explained: “Our experience at SNG shows that the task of expanding the Nigerian domestic gas market is a collective responsibility and not to be done by just a few players. It requires inputs from the regulatory, upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. The key to unlocking all these inputs is driving and implementing the right polices. The implementation of clear policies and incentives, allows for more investors to come into the domestic gas market be it in terms of gas production or infrastructural development. Investors need to be assured of a stable regulatory and fiscal market where their investments are guaranteed.”
He added: “Shell Companies in Nigeria have invested across the entire value chain of gas — Upstream, Midstream and Downstream having understood the potential of the commodity to accelerate industrial and economic growth in Nigeria.”
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Co is poised to absorb up N16 billion by refunding N65/litre to marketers for those who made purchases from its key partners above the advertised rates.
The move, a company statement has it, follows the refinery’s recent reduction of its gantry price from N890 to N825 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol for its strategic partners – AP (Ardova Plc), Heyden, or MRS in the domestic market.
The refinery stated that this is part of its ongoing efforts to ensure that Nigerians are the primary beneficiaries of the price reduction and in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to stimulate the economy.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the refinery confirmed it will refund N65 per litre on the over 200,000 metric tonnes of PMS purchased by marketers at the old gantry price of N890 per litre, prior to the new rate of N825 per litre. Dangote refinery also absorbed N16bn loss by refunding N65/litre to marketers for Nigerians to benefit from cheaper fuel
“The step, effective February 27, 2025, guarantees that none of our valued business partners will experience a loss due to the price change. More importantly, it ensures that the new, lower rate takes immediate effect nationwide for the benefit of the Nigerian people,” the statement said.
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The refinery emphasised that this initiative extends beyond MRS Holdings, Ardova Plc (AP), and Heyden. It urged other marketers sourcing stock from it to pass on the benefits of the new pricing to consumers at the retail level, encouraging a collective commitment to affordable, quality products.
Dangote also condemned any exploitation of the new pricing structure. “It is both unpatriotic and detrimental to the welfare of Nigerians for any party to purchase at a rate of N825 per litre and then sell to consumers at N945 or more per litre. This constitutes excessive profiteering, further burdening Nigerians for personal gain,” the statement added.
“Dangote Refinery in its effort to ensure good quality and affordable fuel for Nigerians, is working with its partners to make this price accessible. Consumers who purchase fuel above the advertised rate at any of its key partners – AP (Ardova Plc), Heyden, or MRS – anywhere in Nigeria, are encouraged to report to Dangote Refinery with their receipts for a full refund of the excess amount.
The approved rates per litre are as follows: MRS: N860 in Lagos, N870 in the South-West, N880 in the North, and N890 in the South-South and South-East; Heyden and AP: N865 in Lagos, N875 in the South-West, N885 in the North, and N895 in the South-South and South-East.
With the new gantry price set at N825 per litre, Dangote Refinery expects that no Nigerian will pay more than N900 per litre for PMS, regardless of location or petrol station. The refinery also underlined its commitment to providing high-quality, eco-friendly fuel that benefits vehicle performance and supports public health.
“Our commitment aligns with the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which champions self-sufficiency in critical sectors like energy. We remain dedicated to supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and ensuring every Nigerian has access to affordable, high-quality energy solutions,” the refinery said.
Dangote Refinery concluded, “This initiative is one of many ways Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals continues to contribute to a prosperous and sustainable future for our country. In this journey toward energy security, we stand united with the Nigerian people, always striving to provide lasting solutions and a more prosperous future for all.”
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed five petrol stations in Katsina State for regulatory breaches, including under-dispensing fuel and failing to meet safety standards.
The enforcement exercise, led by the State Controller, Umar Muhammad, was part of the agency’s routine operations aimed at ensuring compliance with industry regulations and protecting consumer rights.
According to findings, the affected petrol stations were sanctioned for operating with expired licenses, failing to renew them as required by law, and engaging in under-dispensing fuel—delivering less than the standard litre to customers.
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Additionally, some of the stations lacked essential safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, posing potential risks to both workers and consumers.
The five filling stations sealed include: Total Petrol Station, A.A. Rano, Ashafa Petrol, Maje Gas, Gwagware International Petroleum Ltd
The NMDPRA also issued a stern warning against the diversion of petroleum products, emphasizing that any station found guilty of such practices would face severe penalties in line with regulatory provisions.
Muhammad reiterated the agency’s commitment to maintaining transparency and safety in the downstream petroleum sector.
He assured that similar enforcement actions would continue across the state to ensure strict adherence to industry standards.
“We will not condone any act that violates the rules and guidelines governing the operations of filling stations in Katsina State,” Muhammad stated.
The NMDPRA urged petroleum marketers to comply with all operational guidelines, assuring that the agency remains steadfast in safeguarding consumer interests while promoting a safe and transparent fuel distribution system.
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