Pulse.ng : FG doing enough to ensure petrol availability, affordability

Members of the NCSCN at the news conference in Abuja

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) says the Federal Government was doing its best to ensure that Nigerians bought petrol at the cheapest cost possible.

Mr Charles Ibiang, Director, Petroleum and Natural Resources, NCSCN said this at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ibiang said Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Company Ltd (NNPCL) secured the product a minimal cost of N898, adding that NNPCL had shown good faith and should be commended.

'Government has taken away subsidy but will the people be allowed to buy fuel in their own country at 1300 in their own country with the product that they have that is where NNPCL need to step in as the supplier of last resort.

"All of use know what we are doing here can you give us the minimal cost of producing in country , minimal cost we are industry player you are industry player.

That minimal cost is what NNPCL was able to secure which they negotiated and secured..Recall slot of figures came out 760 and that we have not gone to that because the crude for naira will start 1st October.

'The whole crude Dangote is swelling now is the one he bought in dollars.so the cost of their products Dangote should come out and tell Nigerians ."

He also said Dangote Refinery Limited Management (DRL) had also shown good faith by giving Nigeria a refinery.

He, however, said the company should come out with the truth concerning the quantity it was producing and at what cost bearing in mind that it is business concern.

Mr Blessing Akinlosotu, Executive Director, NCSCN, said it was unfair to say that NNPCL was exploiting Nigerians by selling the PMS at exorbitant prices.

Akinlosotu said rather, Nigerians should see the positives in the partnership between the Federal Government and DRL.

According to Akinlosotu the nation sees it as a positive development and a thing of joy and hope when the news of the commencement of the operation of Dangote Refinery broke.

Akinlosotu said NCSCN was not comfortable with allegations and counter allegations regarding petrol prices emanating from NNPCL and Dangote refinery quarters.

“Nigerians were generally made to believe that this will both put final end to the era of fuel scarcity as well as reduce the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit or Petrol.

“It then came to the Civil Society Council as rude shock and a naked dance in public by concerned actors.

“We are worried to read the allegations and counter-allegations coming from both the DRL and NNPCL over operational cost and pricing of products’’, he said.

He said media reports from Dangote refinery could overheat the volatile oil sector and send wrong signals to some quarters.

He urged both parties to work together in the best interest of Nigerians.

Akinlosotu urged them to avoid actions that would undermine the milestone achievement made toward addressing energy insufficiency and insecurity in the country. (NAN)