The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, has attributed the rise in petrol pump prices in Nigeria to market forces, following a recent price increase from N540 to N617 per litre, which he said reflects the dynamics of a market-regulated pricing model.
Addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja, Kyari debunked notions that the price increase is due to a shortfall in petrol supply, noting that is not a supply issue.
He pointed out that a robust supply that could cover for over 32 days was available within the country.
His comments came after several NNPCL-operated stations increased the petrol pump price from N537/litre to N617/litre in Abuja.
On his part, the CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, attributed the price hike to global crude oil prices increase.
He also mentioned that changes in freight costs and other miscellaneous expenses that importers encounter during distribution contribute to price changes.
Tuesday’s development was confirmed by independent oil marketers, who noted that price changes by NNPCL typically indicate a rise in the pump price of petrol, given that NNPCL remains the primary petrol importer in Nigeria.
Recall that, in his inaugural address on May 29, President Bola Tinubu announced the discontinuance of subsidy on petrol, a development which led to a jump in the price of the commodity from N198/litre to over N500/litre on May 30, 2023.
Credit: Punch Newspaper
