Private depots have reportedly crashed the price of Premium Motor Spirit, aka. petrol, to between N495 and N496 per litre from N502 to N503/litre.
The development came amid rumour that the prices of petrol may soar in July owing to the recently devalued exchange rate and cost of importation by private depots, although, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited depots have retained their price at N479.6/litre.
According to The Nation, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, National Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, on Saturday, attributed the decline in price to low demand for the product.
He said, “They are even reducing the price compared to last week.
“They are selling at the rate of N495 to N496/ litre. You know it reached N502 to N503/litre.
“In Lagos most of the depots in Lagos that is what they are selling. NNPC is maintaining its old rate N479.6/litre.
“There is no much market because people, especially the civil servants, are complaining there is no money.”
He urged importers of the product to hasten the supply, noting that there has been no fresh stocking since the removal of subsidy.
Maigandi, who said vessels of petrol may arrive in July, warned the suppliers not to allow their stock to dry up at any time.
“Nobody has imported petrol since the removal of subsidy even NNPC did not import.
“We are all using the old stock. But I know probably this month there will be new stock if not it may create scarcity.
“The government should not allow the fuel to get scarce. They should ensure they bring new stock. That is what we are expecting,” he added.
