The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has informed drivers to panicnig buying of petrol. It said it has no arrangement increase the ex-depot price in March.
NNPC representative, Dr Kennie Obateru, said this in Abuja on Sunday.
The ex-terminal cost is the cost at which station proprietors offer items to marketers.
The cost decides how much marketers will offer to drivers at their different fuel stations.
“Contrary to speculations of an imminent increase in the price of PMS in the country, the NNPC has ruled out any increment in the ex-depot price of petrol in March.
“The corporation was not contemplating any rise in the price of petrol in March in order not to jeopardize ongoing engagements with organised labour and other stakeholders on an acceptable framework that will not expose the ordinary Nigerian to any hardship,” he said.
Most fuel stations in the Federal Capital Territory are not selling the product while queues are seen in few that are dispensing to motorists.
Obateru also cautioned petroleum product marketers not to engage in an arbitrary price increase or hoarding of petrol in order not to create artificial scarcity and unnecessary hardship for Nigerians.
He added that the corporation has enough stock of petrol to keep the nation well supplied for over 40 days and urged motorists to avoid panic buying.
He further called on relevant regulatory authorities to step up monitoring of the activities of marketers with a view to sanctioning those involved in product hoarding or arbitrary increase of pump price.
