Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC, has said that foreign exchange (forex) illiquidity has been a significant factor influencing the fluctuation in prices of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, which are governed by unrestricted free market forces, as provided for in the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.
Speaking on TVC News’ “Journalists’ Hangout” show on Thursday, the Executive Vice President of Downstream, NNPC, Mr. Adedapo Segun, explained that the current fuel scarcity was expected to subside in a few days as more stations re-calibrate and begin selling PMS.
He said Section 205 of the PIA, which established NNPC, 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 the NNPC. 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 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 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 product diversions are prevented and timely deliveries to all stations are ensured. The scarcity should ease in the next few days as more stations re-calibrate and begin operations.”
