Yuletide: Osun residents urge NNPCL to slash PMS price, ensure supply

As the Christmas and New Year celebrations approach, residents of Osun State have called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and relevant agencies to lower the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

They also urged these agencies to ensure the product’s availability to avoid artificial scarcity during the festive period.

This plea comes amid concerns that any hike in fuel prices or shortages during the holiday season could significantly impact travel plans, businesses, family gatherings, and the cost of food—key aspects of the celebrations.

Speaking to Newspot in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Bayo Olaniyi, a commercial driver, described the current PMS price as burdensome and urged the NNPCL to intervene urgently.

He said, “The current price of petrol is already stretching our finances. If there’s a further increase or scarcity, many of us may not be able to operate effectively during this critical period.”

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Folake Adeyemi, a trader at Oja Oba Market, echoed similar concerns.

Adeyemi explained that rising fuel prices have driven up transportation costs, which in turn affect the prices of goods and services.

“People are already struggling to buy essential goods because of inflation. If petrol becomes scarce or more expensive during Christmas, it will worsen the situation for both traders and consumers,” she said.

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) also joined the appeals, warning that artificial scarcity during the festive season could disrupt travel plans for millions of Nigerians.

“We are urging NNPCL and other stakeholders to ensure there’s no fuel scarcity. Christmas and New Year are times when families reconnect, and stable fuel supply is crucial for this,” said Suleiman Akanbi, a member of the Osun chapter of the NURTW.

Residents also expressed fears of a repeat of past years when hoarding and panic buying led to long queues at petrol stations, with some stations selling fuel at exorbitant rates. They called on the government to monitor fuel marketers closely and impose sanctions on those engaging in unethical practices.

“NNPCL must be proactive this year. We have seen cases where marketers hoard fuel to create artificial scarcity and inflate prices during the festive period. It is unfair and avoidable if the authorities take action,” said Oluwasegun Ajayi, a youth leader in Ilesa.

Newspot gathered that as the countdown to the festive season begins, Osun residents are hopeful that their plea will not go unheard and that the yuletide period will be free from the stress and economic strain caused by fuel-related challenges.