NMDPRA reiterates commitment to liberalized petroleum pricing, strengthens safeguards for end-users

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has reiterated its stance that the country's downstream petroleum market is fully deregulated, with petrol prices being dictated by market forces rather than government decrees.

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According to Ali Ajmi, the State Coordinator of NMDPRA in Sokoto, the authority has not received any directive from its headquarters regarding a uniform pump price for Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol.

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Ajmi emphasized that under the current deregulated regime, petroleum marketers are responsible for sourcing products independently and determining pump prices based on various factors, including market conditions, transportation costs, and supply dynamics.

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He stated that companies are expected to source products and sell them according to market realities, and that the authority has not received any written directive specifying the price at which marketers should sell petrol.

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Ajmi noted that petrol prices in Sokoto and neighbouring areas currently range between ₦1,000 and ₦1,200 per litre, and that the authority is engaging with marketers to promote fair pricing and discourage arbitrary increases.

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The NMDPRA coordinator attributed the higher fuel prices in the North-West to logistics challenges, particularly the long distance between coastal depots and inland states such as Sokoto, which increases transportation costs and delivery times.

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Petroleum products transported from coastal depots can take up to 10 days to reach Sokoto due to distance and road conditions, factors that influence distribution costs, Ajmi explained.

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The NMDPRA maintains regular engagement with marketers through inspections, consultations, and stakeholder meetings aimed at improving product supply and addressing pricing concerns, according to Ajmi.

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On consumer protection, Ajmi warned filling station operators against under-dispensing petroleum products, stating that the authority has strengthened its surveillance and enforcement activities.

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Ajmi urged consumers to report any filling station suspected of under-dispensing or selling substandard products, noting that NMDPRA inspection teams are equipped with calibrated measuring devices and quality testing equipment to verify complaints.

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Inspection teams operate daily and can carry out enforcement activities at any time when necessary, Ajmi said.

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Ajmi also disclosed that the authority is collaborating with the Sokoto State Ministries of Energy, Commerce and Industry, as well as other stakeholders, to strengthen consumer protection, improve regulatory compliance, and promote transparency and stability in the downstream petroleum sector.