The Petrol Price Remain Unchanged Until Negotiation With Labour is Over says NNPC .
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on Friday disclosed it would maintain its current ex-depot price of PMS – Premium Motor Spirit otherwise called petrol until the conclusion of ongoing engagement with the organised labour and other stakeholders.
NNPC had maintained an ex-depot price of N148/litre since February despite the hike within the actual cost of the commodity, hence incurring subsidy of about N120bn monthly.
The Group head of the corporation – Group Public Affairs Division, Kennie Obateru, told journalists in Abuja that at the moment , NNPC was bearing the burden of importing refined petroleum products.
This, he said, was because the oil firm was the supplier of pis aller with the task of guaranteeing energy security for the state .
Shedding more light on the recent interview by the Group director , Mele Kyari, at the State House, Obateru said NNPC had no intention to preempt ongoing engagement with labour by unilaterally increasing the ex-depot price of petrol.
He said this was despite the very fact that the corporation was bearing the burden of price differentials between the landing cost and pump price of petrol.
“NNPC has made arrangements for robust stock of petroleum products altogether its strategic depots across the country to stay the state well supplied in the least times,” Obateru said.
He advised petroleum products marketers to not engage in arbitrary increase or hoarding of petrol so as to not disrupt the market. He also urged motorists to not engage in panic buying, stressing that NNPC was committed to making sure products availability in Nigeria.
The NNPC spokesperson assured marketers and every one other stakeholders within the downstream sector of the oil firm’s sustainable collaboration for the interest of the overall public.