The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it has no plans to increase the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) aka petrol, in the month of May.
The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari, made this known at the end of a closed door meeting with Petroleum Transport Drivers (PTD), National Association of Road Transporters Owners (NARTO) and oil marketers in Abuja on Monday.
Ex-depot price is what marketers buy products from depot owners; it determines the pump price at retail stations.
Meanwhile, reports say queues have resurfaced in several retail stations around the Federal Capital Territory with visibility of black marketers along the major highways.
On the strike by PTD, he said the action was associated with NARTO’s inability to increase their compensation, which was not resolved last week.
“We have given commitment to both NARTO and PTD that we will resolve the issue within a week, and come back to the table to have a total closure on the issue.
“We also have a robust engagement with our oil marketing partners in respect of increase in the volume product that is check in the Nigerian market.
“We have agreed to work jointly with all the security agencies to contain any possible infractions seen in our borders.
“We will work as a team to curtail this fraudulent practice with the help of the security agencies,” he added.
He also said that the meeting discussed issues on payment by Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) to oil marketing companies.
All stakeholders, according to him, agreed in making PMS available to marketers.
The NARTO President, Alhaji Yusuf Orthman, commended the NNPC for the intervention, and assured that within the next seven days, things will normalise in the adjustment of allowances of PTD.
“We have requested that they bring three persons so that we discuss the issues but that would not have been possible without this intervention.
“We hope that within the next seven days things will normalise and I want to assure Nigerians that we are committed to it,” he said.
Also, the PTD president said the strike has been suspended until the next seven days
He commended the NNPC and all the stakeholders for their quick intervention.
“We believe that the condition of service of tanker drivers and others need to be improved and we believe that everything will be resolved as discussed,” he said.
– Media Report