Transportation costs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to rise sharply after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) increased the price of petrol at several stations on Wednesday.
The new retail price has been set at N1,030 per litre, up from N897, marking a substantial hike of N133, or 14.8 percent.
This latest increase is the second within a month, sparking concerns among residents and transportation operators about the impending impact on commuting costs and overall economic activity in the capital.
The price change was confirmed by observations at multiple NNPCL stations across Abuja, where customers reported being caught off guard by the new rates.
At a mega station located in Central Area, a frustrated customer expressed dissatisfaction after waiting in line only to discover the inflated price upon reaching the pump. “I am very angry right now.
I entered this station thinking their price would be better. It was only after I had wasted time in the queue that I was informed by the fuel attendant that the price had risen to N1,030,” the customer said, choosing to remain anonymous.
Notably, the NNPCL stations did not display the new prices on either their signboards or pump meters, leading to confusion among motorists who relied solely on information communicated by fuel attendants.
In contrast, independent marketers such as Conoil and Total Energies, located opposite the NNPCL headquarters, were observed selling petrol at a comparatively lower price of N926 per litre. However, customers at these stations faced long queues, indicating high demand and potential supply challenges.
The abrupt price rise has raised alarm among transport operators, who may need to adjust their fares to accommodate the increased cost of fuel. Many fear that this adjustment could further strain the already burdened wallets of commuters in the FCT.
As discussions continue about the implications of the petrol price hike, stakeholders in the transportation sector are calling for transparency and better communication from fuel providers to avoid further inconveniences for consumers.
More details will follow as the situation develops.
