Marketers and retailers of petroleum products are set to begin lifting Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) from the Port Harcourt Refining Company this week, pending any last-minute changes.
Joseph Obele, Publicity Secretary of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, revealed this development. He noted that since the refinery resumed operations in November, it had been supplying fuel exclusively to retail outlets owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Although marketers continue to load fuel from NNPCL, Obele emphasized that the current supplies procured from the state-owned oil company are imported. He expressed concerns over the pricing, stating that NNPCL is selling petrol at higher prices in Port Harcourt compared to Lagos. Obele has urged the refinery to adjust its price to N899 per litre instead of N970.
“NNPC is pricing petrol differently for Port Harcourt than for Lagos due to logistics issues. Retail outlet owners in Port Harcourt are uncomfortable with this discrepancy,” he explained.
Obele confirmed that direct purchases from the NNPC refinery will begin this week. “Currently, the trucks loading fuel are intended solely for NNPC retail outlets,” he added.
He appealed to the NNPC, requesting that the same rate offered to Lagos marketers also apply to Port Harcourt. “It’s essential that the price disparity, which is significant—N899 per litre in Lagos compared to N970 in Port Harcourt—is addressed,” he stated.
When asked about the status of imported stocks in Lagos, Obele reaffirmed that the fuel available there is indeed imported.
Following multiple delays, the NNPC had announced the resumption of the 60,000 barrels per day Port Harcourt refinery in November. The company has also promised that rehabilitation works at the new Port Harcourt refinery, which boasts a capacity of 150,000 barrels per day, are nearing completion.
According to NNPC spokesman Olufemi Soneye, the refinery currently produces naphtha, which is blended to produce petrol, ensuring a steady supply for upcoming sales.
