CONFLICT: Transporters, commuters, others lament high fuel prices

Many transporters and commuters have lamented their ordeals, and called on the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, to intervene and compel oil marketers to adjust pump price without further delay.

One of them said: “Operators, especially depot owners, are always fast to adjust upward prices in their favour. However, they always find it difficult to adjust downward in favour of consumers.”

A motor bike operator, who gave his name as John Bassey, said: “Life has become very difficult with me and other operators in the transport sector because of the high cost of petrol.

‘’This is because many commuters have fixed income and find it equally difficult to pay exorbitant transport fares.”

Also, a private car owner, Mr. Ola Salami, said: “I had to park my car. I am bringing it out for the first time because I learned that Dangote Refinery has reduced its gantry price but I am disappointed because the price remains high in all the filling stations I have visited so far.”

Reacting to the development yesterday, the Executive Director, Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprises, CPPE, Dr Muda Yusuf, noted that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery had taken the right step, noting that the refinery had been able to meet domestic demand.

He said: “I learned the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has been able to meet our domestic demand, according to the latest report of the NMDPRA. The refinery has done well as this would enable the nation to conserve foreign exchange previously used to import fuel into the nation.

“Government policy should continue to encourage domestic refining through a coordinated mix of trade policy, fiscal policy and monetary policy measures. Priority areas should include ensuring reliable crude supply arrangements, strengthening petroleum distribution infrastructure, introducing tariff protection, encouraging additional refining investments, and promoting export competitiveness for refined petroleum products.”For more, Read Full; Original.