Motorists across Abuja are abandoning Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets in favor of MRS filling stations, now dispensing fuel from Dangote Refinery at a cheaper rate.
A recent survey revealed significantly reduced queues at NNPCL outlets along Kubwa Expressway, while MRS stations experienced a surge in patronage. The difference? MRS sells petrol at ₦945 per litre, compared to NNPCL’s ₦965 per litre.
Taxi driver Ali Mohammed shared his reason for the switch: “Apart from the price, Dangote fuel lasts longer than NNPCL’s.” Similarly, Kunle Abdulrahman echoed concerns about NNPCL fuel drying up faster, while Oluwatobi Esther credited her friend’s recommendation for her switch to MRS.
Musa Aliyu, manager of MRS Kubwa, confirmed the recent spike in demand. “The queues here have been unprecedented lately, thanks to the cheaper price and perceived quality,” he said.
However, an anonymous NNPCL attendant attributed the shift solely to pricing: “If NNPC drops its price to ₦935 today, the queues will return. The fuel quality remains unchanged.”
Chinedu Ukadike, spokesperson for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), concurred, describing the development as a natural outcome of market deregulation.
MRS remains the ‘bride of motorists’ for now, as price continues to fuel consumer choices in Abuja’s petrol market.
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