Nigerians may pay more for fuel, as NNPC says it can’t bear N120 billion monthly subsidy
NASS to pass PIB into law in April, says Sylva
By Eniola Idris
There are indications that Nigerians may soon begin to pay more for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol, as the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it could not sustain the N120 billion monthly subsidy.
The Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation NNPC, Mele Kyari, during the weekly media briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Team at the State House, Abuja, said the corporation can no longer bear the over N120 billion monthly subsidy for PMS.
According to him, the actual cost of importation and handling charges amounts to N234 per litre, while the government is selling at N162 per litre.
He added that the NNPC absorbs the cost differential which is recorded in its financial books.
Kyari, however, said that since NNPC could no longer bear the cost, sooner or later Nigerians would have to pay the actual cost for the commodity.
He said: “Our current consumption (evacuation) from our depots is about 60million litres per day. We are selling at N162 a litre. Current market price is 234, actual market price today.
“The difference between the two, multiply by 60 million, times thirty, will give you per month. “This is a simple calculation you do. If you want exact figures from our book, I do not have it from this moment but it’s between N100 billion and N120 billion per month.
“We are putting the difference in the books of NNPC and we cannot continue to bear,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who also spoke at the event, expressed the hope that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would be passed into law in April.
He said: “The National Assembly has expressed the intent to pass the PIB into law by April 2021, every effort is being made to support the National Assembly to meet this target,”
While enumerating the gains of the PIB to Nigerians, the minister said it would create additional infrastructure across petroleum value chain. He added that it would increase petroleum activities as well as enhance the livelihood of inhabitants of oil producing communities.
He said the bill would create additional infrastructure across the petroleum value chain especially from mid-stream and down-stream.
He added that critical infrastructure would also be developed, while utilising the incremental revenue from increased petroleum activities.
Sylva said it would also provide additional infrastructure in the host communities arising from the host community trust.
The minister further stated that more businesses would be set up to support increased activities within the petroleum value chain.
“Greater confidence would be engendered with certainty in the petroleum industry, which will lead to increased investments. “Nigeria will occupy its place among commits of nations who have updated their petroleum industry laws in line with current realities. “The bill will also enable a structured monetisation of fossil fuel resources before the whole world turns to renewables.
“It will also impact positively on the Nigerian economy with multiplier effect on the petroleum sector,’’ he said.
