Following the ongoing speculations about the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as Petrol, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), on Friday promised to maintain the current ex-depot price, pending the conclusion of engagement with the organized labour and other stakeholders.
Disclosing this, Mr Kennie Obateru, the General Manager, Public Affairs Division of NNPC, said the corporation will continue to bear the burden of importing refined petroleum products as the supplier of last resort.
There has anxiety among Nigerians since Mr Mele Kyari, the NNPC Group General Manager, Thursday, said the corporation can no longer bear the burden of petrol subsidy.
According to him, the NNPC pays N120 billion every month to subsidise petrol.
Reacting, Obateru disclosed to newsmen that the NNPC had no intention to unilaterally increase the ex-depot price of petrol.
He, however noted that the price of petrol would be announced after the conclusion of the ongoing engagement with the organised labour.
The NNPC spokesman also assured Nigerians on the availability of petroleum products, disclosing that the corporation had made adequate arrangements for robust stock of petroleum products in all its depots across the country.
Obateru also warned the petroleum product marketers against hoarding of petrol, so as not to disrupt the market, adding that any offender caught will face the wrath of the law.
Similarly, the spokesman urged all motorists not to engage in panic buying, adding that the corporation has made available enough petroleum products to marketers across the country.
He assured that the corporation is committed to making sure that fuel is available to all Nigerians.
