US-Iran crisis: NLC demands action as petrol sells N1,500/litre

The retail price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly referred to as petrol, has experienced continuous increases throughout various states, with the commodity reaching N1,500 per litre in Kano, Yobe, Sokoto, Borno, Taraba and Zamfara, while substantial price escalations have also been observed in other regions of the nation.

In response, the Nigeria Labour Congress has urged the Federal Government to implement urgent interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of elevated petrol prices, encompassing the provision of competitive wage adjustments to employees and the facilitation of crude oil sales to domestic refineries denominated in naira.

The NLC, through a communiqué issued by its President, Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday, indicated that petrol is currently trading at approximately N1,430 per litre in principal urban centres, with documented prices being substantially higher in remote areas.

The labour organization cautioned that the escalating petrol costs would exacerbate the economic difficulties confronting Nigerian citizens, emphasizing that transportation cost increases conventionally precipitate elevated expenses for food, accommodation, educational fees and other vital commodities and services.

Furthermore, petroleum distributors have aligned with the NLC in appealing to the Federal Government for market intervention, cautioning that prices may escalate to N2,000 per litre should international crude oil valuations continue their upward trajectory, while industry participants have advocated for governmental action to constrain the Dangote Petroleum Refinery's expanding market dominance.

Commodity Pricing Across Jurisdictions

The commodity's valuation has demonstrated persistent growth nationwide, attaining levels as elevated as N1,500 across numerous states. In Yobe State, inhabitants documented petrol trading between N1,500 and N1,520 per litre at designated fuel distribution points in Damaturu, the state's administrative centre.

A Damaturu inhabitant, Hassan Auwalu, reported acquiring petrol at N1,500 per litre. "I am presently procuring petrol at N1,500 per litre. This represents an extraordinary circumstance, and the price elevation is intensifying hardship for ordinary citizens," Auwalu stated.

Similarly, a tricycle rider in the state capital, Musa Ibrahim, said he buys the commodity for about N1,500 per litre at some Nigerian National Petroleum Company filling stations.

Also speaking, a civil servant, Lawan Garba, said some filling stations were selling petrol at an even higher price. “I am buying petrol at N1,520 per litre in some petrol stations,” Garba said.

In Kano State, petrol was selling for between N1,460 and N1,500 per litre at most filling stations in the metropolis. The increase has forced some vehicle owners to park their vehicles, while commercial tricycle operators, popularly known as “yan’ adaidaita sahu”, have also increased their fares by about 50 per cent, depending on the distance.

The operators who used to charge N200 for a short distance now collect N300, while they charge between N500 and N700 for longer distances.

In Sokoto State, petrol prices rose to between N1,465 and N1,500 per litre in the metropolis. Checks by our correspondent showed that the product had risen from the previous price of N1,365 per litre.

At some filling stations, including AA Rano, Shafa and Total, petrol was sold for N1,465 per litre, while major marketers sold it for between N1,470 and N1,500 per litre.

In Borno State, a litre of petrol was selling for N1,500 at filling stations in Maiduguri, the state capital. A motorist, Ishaku Curutsi, confirmed to our correspondent that he bought petrol from Matrix filling station for N1,500 per litre on Wednesday. “I bought it this morning, and a litre at Matrix cost 1,500,” he said.

In Taraba State, petroleum prices have escalated to N1,500 per litre, with motorists and commuters documenting prices ranging from N1,500 to N1,700 per litre at various filling stations. This development is anticipated to further elevate transportation costs and the expenses associated with the movement of goods throughout the state.

In Zamfara State, a litre of petroleum was being retailed at N1,500 in Gusau, the state capital, and surrounding areas. An inspection of filling stations revealed that motorists were acquiring the commodity for between N1,450 and N1,500 per litre, compared to the previous price of N1,350.

At Danmarina filling station, motorists were observed purchasing the commodity while expressing concerns regarding the price increase. One motorist, identified as Musa Idris, noted that the prevailing price was imposing financial strain on consumers.

Investigations further demonstrated that petroleum prices had increased across Kaduna, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Bauchi, Adamawa, Imo, Rivers, Abia, Delta, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Edo and Kwara states.

In Kaduna, the retail price of petroleum reached approximately N1,450 per litre at certain filling stations within the metropolitan area and its surrounding regions.

A correspondent who tracked this development on Tuesday documented that the product was being distributed at N1,450 per litre at selected filling stations operated by AA Rano and Shema. Conversely, motorists purchasing from NNPC Mega filling stations paid N1,439 per litre.

At the NNPC Mega filling station situated along Aliyu Makama Road, Barnawa, our correspondent, who acquired petroleum valued at N10,000, obtained approximately 6.9 litres.

This situation has generated apprehension among motorists, with numerous individuals expressing that the escalating cost of petroleum was exerting considerable pressure on household budgets and transportation expenditures.

A government employee, Madam Cecilia Njoku, disclosed that she had opted to leave her vehicle at home due to the expenses associated with fuel. She stated, "The circumstances are dire. I was compelled to leave my car at home because I can no longer manage the cost of petroleum."

In Benue State, petrol was selling for between N1,430 and N1,470 per litre in filling stations in Makurdi. Our correspondent, who visited some of the filling stations along Ankpa Quarter, including Enyo and Prime Power, found that the product sold for N1,450 and N1,470 per litre, respectively.

A female attendant at Prime Power filling station, who simply identified herself as Debby, lamented low patronage. She said, “The high price of fuel is affecting sales; most of our customers now are commercial motorcyclists. Ask yourself how many litres of fuel they buy in a day?”

Consequently, transport fares appeared to be increasing, as a distance that used to attract N400 had risen to N600.

In Dutse, Jigawa State, petrol was selling at most filling stations for between N1,460 and N1,480 per litre, depending on the station and its location within the metropolis. At roadside black-market points, however, a litre of petrol was sold for N2,000 and above, depending on availability and bargaining.

In Lokoja, Kogi State, retailers adjusted pump prices following the announcement of price adjustments by Dangote last Friday. At a Mobil filling station along IBB Road near Obasanjo Square, Kpata, a litre of petrol sold for N1,450. The same price was recorded at NNPC, Kpata Market Road.

However, at the NNPC filling station along Lokoja-Abuja Express Road, a litre sold for N1,400, while at MRS, owned by Dangote Group, it sold for N1,410.

In Jos, Plateau State, petrol sold for between N1,450 and N1,470 per litre across major filling stations in the metropolis. At AP Filling Station in Bukuru, the product sold for N1,470 per litre, while it was dispensed at N1,460 at F.O. Eze Oil and Gas along Rukuba Road and N1,450 at the Polo NNPC station.

For many workers commuting daily from satellite communities such as Tina Junction, Bukuru and Rukuba to Terminus Market, the increase has significantly raised transportation costs.

In Bauchi State, petrol was selling for N1,460 per litre in the metropolis, while motorists and other consumers at filling stations on the outskirts were buying the product for N1,470 per litre. The checks showed that the price difference between outlets within the metropolis and those on the outskirts stood at N10 per litre.

In Adamawa State, petrol prices ranged from N1,400 to N1,470 per litre in Yola. At Fatinha filling station along Airport Road, the pump price was N1,465, while at MRS filling station opposite Bajure Junction, it was N1,400.

At Optima Energy along Yola-Girei Road, the pump price was N1,470, while NUT filling station sold at N1,455. At NNPC along the same road, the price was N1,436. In Mubi, the commercial centre of Adamawa State bordering the Republic of Cameroon, petrol prices ranged from N1,700 to N1,850 per litre.

In Rivers State, filling stations in Port Harcourt and its environs were selling petrol for N1,400 per litre. Checks by our reporter showed that on Wednesday, petrol sold for N1,400 at Eternal Filling Stations and Whiz Filling Station

However, at the NNPC filling station in Rumuodomaya near Port Harcourt, petrol sold for N1,385.

In Abia State, petrol sold for between N1,350 and N1,440 per litre. On Sunday, it was N1,310 per litre in Aba and N1,350 in Umuahia. However, by Wednesday, prices varied from one filling station to another.

A fuel station owner in Umuahia who spoke on condition of anonymity explained, “That was how we bought it: at