Connect with us


BIG STORY

PMS Prices Could Decrease Further As Crude Prices Decline

Published

on

The cost of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) could experience a further decline if crude oil prices continue to drop.

This trend will be reinforced if the naira maintains its stability against the dollar in the foreign exchange market.

Oil prices dropped by approximately two percent, reaching a 12-week low this week, following reports that OPEC+ plans to proceed with a scheduled oil output increase in April.

Brent futures decreased by $1.19, or 1.6 percent, settling at $71.62 a barrel, while the United States West Texas Intermediate crude fell by $1.39, or two percent, to settle at $68.37.

Reuters reported that these were the lowest closing prices for Brent since December 6, and for WTI since December 9.

It was also reported that the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, such as Russia, known as OPEC+, decided to continue with the planned oil output increase in April.

Experts in the Nigerian downstream oil sector have stated that the cost of refined petroleum products is primarily determined by crude oil prices and the exchange rate.

Last week, Dangote refinery reduced its ex-depot PMS price from N890 per litre to N825.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) followed Dangote’s move, reducing its price to match, leading to what many are calling a price war.

Economist Paul Alaje believes that the petrol price reduction is sustainable and should fall below N700 per litre based on current market conditions.

While the price reduction is feasible, Alaje noted that the main risk is if crude oil prices increase due to a global crisis.

“It is sustainable to reduce petrol prices to N700 based on today’s reality of the exchange rate. The challenge we may have is a global crisis that makes the price of crude oil go up. If that happens, we are going to see the difference. But for now, we are seeing relative stability,” Alaje said on Channels Television.

He added, “As of today, our computation reveals that PMS should be around N795 to N820 per litre.”

Billy Gillis-Harry, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, has insisted that petrol prices will continue to fluctuate based on changes in the foreign exchange rates and global crude oil prices.

Nonetheless, the drop in crude oil prices is benefiting average Nigerians by making fuel more affordable. The current price is below the $74 per barrel projected by the Federal Government in the 2025 budget.

BIG STORY

BREAKING: Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Drops To 23.18%

Published

on

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a decrease in Nigeria’s inflation rate, which fell to 23.18% in February from 24.48% in January.

The announcement was made in the February 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the NBS on Monday.

According to the bureau, the headline inflation rate in February increased slightly by “1.30% points when compared to the January 2025 headline inflation rate.”

The NBS stated:

“In February 2025, the Headline inflation rate eased to 23.18% relative to the January 2025 headline inflation rate of 24.48%.”

“Looking at the movement, the February 2025 Headline inflation rate showed a decrease of 1.30% compared to the January 2025 Headline inflation rate.”

On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 8.52% lower than the 31.70% recorded in February 2024.

The NBS further noted:

“This shows that the Headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) decreased in February 2025 compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., February 2024), though with a different base year, November 2009 = 100.”

Additionally, the month-on-month inflation rate for February 2025 was recorded at 2.04%.

 

More to come…

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Rivers Assembly Accuses Fubara, Deputy Of Misconduct, Issues Notice

Published

on

The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a notice accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, of alleged misconduct.

A total of twenty-six members of the assembly made these allegations against Fubara in a notice submitted to Speaker Martin Amaewhule on Monday.

According to the lawmakers, their actions are based on “Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other existing laws.”

They accused Fubara of various offenses, including unconstitutional and reckless spending of public funds, hindering the Assembly’s activities, and appointing individuals to government positions without undergoing the required screening and confirmation.

Additional allegations include withholding salaries, allowances, and funds designated for the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as blocking the salary of Clerk Emeka Amadi.

The lawmakers also accused Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu of “conniving and supporting the illegal appointment of persons to government positions without the required screening and confirmation.”

After receiving the notice, Amaewhule forwarded it to Fubara, stating that the allegations had been brought forward by “not less than one-third (1/3) of the membership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

He then urged the governor to respond to the allegations, citing Section 188(3) of the Constitution, which states, “Within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the Speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement made by the holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice), the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any debate, whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.”

Amaewhule further advised the governor to take appropriate action and extended his “esteemed regards.”

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

BREAKING: Lagos Court Orders Oba Otudeko To Appear For ‘N30bn Fraud’ Trial

Published

on

The Federal High Court in Lagos has instructed Oba Otudeko to appear before the court and enter a plea in response to the charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The directive was issued on Monday by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

The EFCC had previously filed a 13-count charge against Otudeko and three others over an alleged N30 billion loan fraud.

During the proceedings, the judge ruled that Otudeko must take his plea before the court could address an application contesting its jurisdiction in the matter.

The case has been adjourned to May 8.

 

More to come…

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular