Motorists in Abuja have reportedly abandoned Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited retail outlets and other filling stations selling petrol at higher prices following fresh price reductions by some independent marketers across the Federal Capital Territory.
The development followed price cuts by MRS, AA Rano, Sharon and other filling stations, with MRS reducing its petrol price by N50 to N1,210 per litre, from N1,260, while AA Rano, Sharon and others reduced their prices by N25 per litre.
The new prices were implemented at outlets along the Kubwa Expressway and other parts of Abuja on Monday.
The latest reductions came after Dangote Refinery cut its ex-depot petrol price to N1,165 per litre, prompting some marketers and depot owners to review their pump prices.
Petrol depot owners were also reported to have reduced their prices to about N1,168 per litre.
However, NNPCL retail outlets and some other filling stations in Abuja continued to sell petrol between N1,299 and N1,310 per litre as of Monday, leading to a significant drop in patronage.
The higher prices were observed at NNPCL stations in Gwarinpa, Wuse Zones 4 and 6 and other parts of the FCT.
An attendant at an NNPCL filling station in Abuja, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said motorists had stopped patronising the outlet because of the price difference. “I have hardly sold petrol to four or 10 persons since today.
Our customers are complaining about the high fuel price. I hope the petrol price will reduce from tomorrow,” the attendant said. Two other attendants at Shema and Emedab filling stations reportedly expressed similar concerns over declining patronage.
Meanwhile, trucks belonging to Dangote Refinery were sighted at several retail outlets in Abuja.
The spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu, suggested that NNPCL and other marketers might not have received or stocked products supplied by the refinery.
The NNPCL spokesman, Andy Odeh, did not respond to inquiries on the price disparity as of the time of filing the report.
The development has heightened concerns over pricing in the downstream petroleum sector, coming amid efforts by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to engage stakeholders on measures to address alleged anti-competitive pricing of petroleum products.
