Fuel

The queues by motorists for Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, which had persisted since February in Abuja and environs, gradually disappeared on Thursday as more filling stations joined in dispensing the product. It was, however, observed that some retail outlets dispensed the commodity at rates above the approved N165/litre price, particularly filling stations located in the suburbs of Abuja. This came as members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria told our correspondent that they were not aware of any meeting between oil marketers and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority. The NMDPRA had stated on Wednesday that it was meeting with oil marketers on issues bordering on the cost of petrol, payment of bridging claims and other concerns in the downstream oil sector. The regulator, however, kept mute on Thursday when contacted to speak on whether there would be an increase in petrol price going by the demands of IPMAN, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, as well as the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association. It was observed that filling stations in Abuja dispensed petrol at their own rates, as Khalif retail station in Kubwa, for instance, sold the commodity at N250/litre on Thursday to motorists.