By Atlantic Reports

Motorists in the Federal Capital Territory have expressed concern over rising petrol prices, saying the increases are adding to household pressures despite the Federal Government’s announced measures to ease costs.

Prices reported at three retail outlets on Monday ranged from ₦1,405 to ₦1,410 per litre, compared with previous rates of ₦1,370 to ₦1,380.

A.Y. Shafa reportedly increased its price from ₦1,370 to ₦1,410 per litre, while MRS moved from ₦1,370 to ₦1,405. A.A. Rano’s price rose from ₦1,380 to ₦1,409.

The figures reflect the outlets cited in the supplied report and do not establish a uniform price across the FCT.

Motorist Tony Ajayi said the latest increases came as families were already dealing with higher food, transport and household expenses.

He said persistent fuel price rises were making it harder for many people to meet basic needs.

Another motorist, Auwal Tanko, said he bought petrol at ₦1,410 per litre and urged the Federal Government to stabilise prices. He said the financial impact extended beyond the cost of filling his vehicle.

The government recently announced a 30-day discount on petrol sold by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, with public transport operators given priority.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele said the arrangement did not represent a return to petrol subsidy.

He also said the government was negotiating a ceiling of ₦1,350 per litre on the ex-gantry or landing cost of petrol to reduce sharp price fluctuations.

That proposed ceiling concerns the cost before retail sale. It does not amount to an announced ₦1,350 pump-price limit, as transport, distribution and retail costs also affect what consumers pay.

Meanwhile, Dangote Petroleum Refinery reportedly reduced its gantry price by ₦25 per litre, from ₦1,350 to ₦1,325. The reported retail increases indicate that the lower refinery price had not yet translated into cheaper petrol at the outlets cited.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, called for wider access to the government’s pricing arrangement so that more consumers could benefit.

He said reductions would take time to move through the distribution chain as products were loaded, transported and delivered to filling stations.

“The effect will not be immediately seen until within 20 days to 30 days when these products lands at their destinations and in the pumps for dispensing,” he said.

The timeframe is the association spokesperson’s estimate, rather than a guarantee of when prices will fall.

The supplied account did not specify the discount amount, participating outlets or how priority access for public transport operators would be administered. Those details will be important in determining whether the temporary relief reaches motorists and reduces transport costs for passengers.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.