Victor EzejaNetizens have criticised the new regional prices set by MRS Oil Nigeria for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
In a post on social media on Monday, the major oil marketing firm listed new prices of petrol in its retail outlets in various regions, with the South-east having a higher price.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to the post, petrol will now be sold in MRS Oil filling stations in Lagos at N925 per litre, other states in Southwest, N935; North N945 and Southeast, N955.
The Lagos new price reflects a N10 cut from previous N935.
The price reduction came days after the Dangote Refinery – MRS partner- reduced the ex-depot price of petrol to N890 per litre following a drop in prices of crude oil in the international market.
“MRS Petrol is now selling at new regional prices! The prices may vary, but one thing stays the same—we give you high-quality fuel that keeps your engine running at its best.
“If you notice any station selling above the listed price, we’re just a call or email away,” MRS Oil Nigeria stated.
READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery Reduces Petrol Price To N890/Litre
However, netizens queried the decision of the company to fix the price of petrol in South-east at a rate higher than the north even when the region is closer to Southwest, considering logistical costs which account for the regional price variation.
An X user, Master Chief asked “#BoycottMRS how did you come about this pricing. From Southwest to East is closer than to the North and yet you sell higher there. How did you arrive at this pricing.”
Another X user with name Navigator and handle @macshaw718 wrote: “Why is the price in the East more expensive than others, even when the resources is from there.”
Zege, @zege123, pointed out that the cost of transporting goods from the west to the north is more than to the East, and wondered why MRS decided to make the price higher in the East. “Why is the East more expensive that the North? In terms of mileage, it cost more to go to the North than the east. So why the price difference? It is wrong.
“Transport fare from Lagos to Calabar is cheaper than from Lagos to Maiduguri. So why is it cheaper to the North.”
“If MRS is lifting petrol from Dangote refinery in Lagos and considering distance as the factor for the price differentiation, the north should be the costliest and not the East,” another X user Gadalissh @Ancientman stated.
However, an X user Hon. Ola said the “North is getting subsidy,” hence the reduced price.
Meanwhile, some Nigerians also raised concerns about the integrity of the MRS petrol pump.
Adeyimika @Adeyimika said: “This is good update, but your pump reading is bad. 5 litres should be 5 liters. Why should someone buy 40 liters of fuel and be getting 30 liters because of pump tampering, it’s unfair.”
“Work on your pump integrity. Its’s very important. One litre should be one litre,” Alli-Balogun H.Lekan @allibaloo admonished.
Another X user @Swish_salt alleged that MRS filling stations pump attendants forcefully deduct ₦100 from every customers’ money when they are buying with a keg?
“Is this fraud sanctioned by your management?” the X user asked.
“The MRS pumps at Oja oba in Ilorin is selling petrol at the right price but their pump is under dispensing i.e right price but low quantity. Pls help us do something about it,” @Rasaq84 stated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
