Some service stations in Lagos and Abuja have already implemented the new pump price of petrol as announced by the Nigerian government on Thursday night.

The stations on Friday adjusted their metering system to reflect N212 per litre, Peoples Gazette observed. The stations include Dan Oil in Lugbe, Abuja, and Oando opposite County Hospital in Ogba, Lagos.

The development contradicted NNPC’s claim that fuel prices have not been hiked across the country, following nationwide uproar that N212 petrol would worsen the conditions of Nigerians, most of whom are already groaning under prolonged harsh economic conditions. Nigeria has been categorised as the country with the highest number of poor people in the world, indicating that citizens are worse off under President Muhammadu Buhari.

Energy pricing regulator PPPRA had on Thursday night announced an increase of a litre of essential PMS from N186 to N212 effective this month. Following outrage, the agency summarily deleted the announcement from its website without explanation. The decision had been taken by some section of the public to mean that the PPPRA was backing down from the hikes, although no official position has been communicated to citizens.

When asked why the prices were changed from N186 to N212 per litre even though the government appeared to insist there should be no hikes, an official at Dan Oil said the reality was already communicated by the government.

“The government has communicated the reality on the ground which is that fuel will be sold at N212 because we have to pay all the associated costs and make some profit also,” said the oil retailer who did not immediately identify himself to the Gazette. “Nigerians should either accept the reality of continue with their protest against the government.”

In other parts of the country, the Gazette observed that some filling stations have been selling at between N162 to N220 per litre. In Ijebu Ode, Ogun, many stations have also shut down operation to hoard available products until they have a clearer view of the policy, the Gazette observed.

A spokesman for the NNPC did not immediately return requests seeking comments about the decision of gas stations to start implementing price increases.