The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has stated that the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol is not determined by the company, but by free market forces, as provided for in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
NNPC disclosed that the foreign exchange (forex) has been a significant factor influencing the fluctuation in prices of the products.
A statement by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, quoted the Executive Vice President of Downstream, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Adedapo Segun to have disclosed this while speaking on TVC News’ “Journalists’ Hangout” show on Thursday.
Mr. Segun further disclosed that the current fuel scarcity was expected to “subside in a few days as more stations recalibrate and begin selling of PMS.”
He noted that Section 205 of the PIA, which established NNPC Ltd, stipulated that petroleum prices were determined by unrestricted free market forces.
According to him, “The market has been deregulated, meaning that petrol prices are now determined by market forces rather than by the government or NNPC Ltd. Additionally, the exchange rate plays a significant role in influencing these prices.”
On the commencement of lifting PMS from the Dangote Refinery, Segun said that the NNPC Ltd was awaiting the September 15th timeline provided by the refinery.
Segun, who said no right-thinking individual would be comfortable with the current fuel scarcity, added that the NNPC Ltd had nearly a thousand filling stations nationwide and was collaborating with marketers to “ensure that stations open early, close late, in order to maintain adequate fuel supply to meet the needs of Nigerians.”
He assured Nigerians: “We are also engaging relevant authorities to ensure products diversions are prevented and timely deliveries to all stations are ensured. The scarcity should ease in the next few days as more stations recalibrate and begin operations.”
