Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ABUJA1700
2003-10-02 15:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: FUEL PRICES HIKED BY FIAT
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001700
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2008
TAGS: ELAB EPET ENRG PGOV PHUM ASEC CASC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: FUEL PRICES HIKED BY FIAT
REF: ABUJA 1195
Classified by POL Russell J. Hanks. Reasons: 1.5 (B&D).
Fuel Price Raised Without Notice
--------------------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001700
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2008
TAGS: ELAB EPET ENRG PGOV PHUM ASEC CASC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: FUEL PRICES HIKED BY FIAT
REF: ABUJA 1195
Classified by POL Russell J. Hanks. Reasons: 1.5 (B&D).
Fuel Price Raised Without Notice
--------------
1. (C) This morning Nigerians returned to work after
yesterday's public holiday and learned from the media that
the GON had deregulated the downstream oil sector. According
to a fuel marketer, the notification came in a letter on
September 29 which said that the GON would not subsidize fuel
after October 1, but urged marketers to keep the price below
40 Naira per liter for the month of October. Fuel prices at
independent gas stations rose from the former fixed price of
34 Naira to 39.9 Naira. The GON and President Obasanjo made
no public announcement of the deregulation, with Obasanjo
eschewing the opportunity to address it in his Independence
day address October 1. As of late afternoon today, the GON
has yet to make an announcement. Petroleum products
marketers can now charge any price for their products.
Nonetheless, most stations prices in major cities remain
below 40 Naira, the price Obasanjo wanted to fix the price
during last July's nation-wide strike.
Government Officials Caught Off Guard
--------------
2. (C) National Representative Faruk Aliyu, National
Assembly Chairman for Media Affairs, told Poloff this morning
that National Assembly members also learned of the fuel price
hikes from the newspapers. Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, the
Executive Secretary of the Product Price Regulatory Agency
(PPPRA),stated that for now prices at the few GON-owned
stations will remain at 34 Naira a liter, while others are
free to charge what they wish. Oluleye also said that the
PPPRA had approved the deregulation of the downstream sector.
COMMENT: The PPPRA, which was established by Obasanjo as the
advisory board to determine fuel prices, will likely be
disbanded in the next few months because it will serve no
purpose in a deregulated market. The PPPRA, contrary to
Oluleye's statement to Econoff, has made no official
announcement supporting deregulation of the downstream
sector. END COMMENT.
Labor to Call Nationwide Strike Early Next Week?
-------------- ---
3. (U) The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) immediately
denounced deregulation and promised nation-wide strikes next
week. NLC President Oshiomhole also vowed to disrupt the All
Africa Games, set to begin on October 4. NLC officials
confirmed that they are prepared for an extended strike,
promising that NUPENG and PENGASSAN (white and blue collar
petroleum) will join the strike and disrupt oil production.
Fuel Survey
--------------
4. (U) According to Embassy's unofficial price survey, fuel
prices in Abuja remained at 34 Naira (official GON rate) at
the only NNPC (GON-owned) gas station in town, while prices
varied from 39 to 39.9 Naira at independent stations. At
stations with fuel North of Abuja, prices range from 50 to 60
Naira a liter, but fuel shortages remain chronic especially
in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. In Lagos and the South,
prices hovered at 39 Naira.
Comment: Calm Before the Storm?
--------------
5. (C) During the last nation-wide fuel strike in early
July this year, organized labor flexed its muscles by
bringing the country to a near halt for eight days and
winning a concession from the GON. As in July, the GON again
neglected to consult with the unions and general public
before yesterday's increase. In spite of the NLC promising a
nation-wide strike next week, the GON will not likely budge
from downstream deregulation. By not announcing the hike
officially, it appears the GON is trying insulate itself from
a harsh reaction. If the political pressure is too great,
Obasanjo and the GON can blame the hike on a
"miscommunication" and avoid the full blame. The nation
remains calm today, but if the national mood at the end of
the last strike is an indicator, a new strike could attract
widespread support soon after the NLC announces its
intentions.
MEECE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2008
TAGS: ELAB EPET ENRG PGOV PHUM ASEC CASC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: FUEL PRICES HIKED BY FIAT
REF: ABUJA 1195
Classified by POL Russell J. Hanks. Reasons: 1.5 (B&D).
Fuel Price Raised Without Notice
--------------
1. (C) This morning Nigerians returned to work after
yesterday's public holiday and learned from the media that
the GON had deregulated the downstream oil sector. According
to a fuel marketer, the notification came in a letter on
September 29 which said that the GON would not subsidize fuel
after October 1, but urged marketers to keep the price below
40 Naira per liter for the month of October. Fuel prices at
independent gas stations rose from the former fixed price of
34 Naira to 39.9 Naira. The GON and President Obasanjo made
no public announcement of the deregulation, with Obasanjo
eschewing the opportunity to address it in his Independence
day address October 1. As of late afternoon today, the GON
has yet to make an announcement. Petroleum products
marketers can now charge any price for their products.
Nonetheless, most stations prices in major cities remain
below 40 Naira, the price Obasanjo wanted to fix the price
during last July's nation-wide strike.
Government Officials Caught Off Guard
--------------
2. (C) National Representative Faruk Aliyu, National
Assembly Chairman for Media Affairs, told Poloff this morning
that National Assembly members also learned of the fuel price
hikes from the newspapers. Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, the
Executive Secretary of the Product Price Regulatory Agency
(PPPRA),stated that for now prices at the few GON-owned
stations will remain at 34 Naira a liter, while others are
free to charge what they wish. Oluleye also said that the
PPPRA had approved the deregulation of the downstream sector.
COMMENT: The PPPRA, which was established by Obasanjo as the
advisory board to determine fuel prices, will likely be
disbanded in the next few months because it will serve no
purpose in a deregulated market. The PPPRA, contrary to
Oluleye's statement to Econoff, has made no official
announcement supporting deregulation of the downstream
sector. END COMMENT.
Labor to Call Nationwide Strike Early Next Week?
-------------- ---
3. (U) The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) immediately
denounced deregulation and promised nation-wide strikes next
week. NLC President Oshiomhole also vowed to disrupt the All
Africa Games, set to begin on October 4. NLC officials
confirmed that they are prepared for an extended strike,
promising that NUPENG and PENGASSAN (white and blue collar
petroleum) will join the strike and disrupt oil production.
Fuel Survey
--------------
4. (U) According to Embassy's unofficial price survey, fuel
prices in Abuja remained at 34 Naira (official GON rate) at
the only NNPC (GON-owned) gas station in town, while prices
varied from 39 to 39.9 Naira at independent stations. At
stations with fuel North of Abuja, prices range from 50 to 60
Naira a liter, but fuel shortages remain chronic especially
in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. In Lagos and the South,
prices hovered at 39 Naira.
Comment: Calm Before the Storm?
--------------
5. (C) During the last nation-wide fuel strike in early
July this year, organized labor flexed its muscles by
bringing the country to a near halt for eight days and
winning a concession from the GON. As in July, the GON again
neglected to consult with the unions and general public
before yesterday's increase. In spite of the NLC promising a
nation-wide strike next week, the GON will not likely budge
from downstream deregulation. By not announcing the hike
officially, it appears the GON is trying insulate itself from
a harsh reaction. If the political pressure is too great,
Obasanjo and the GON can blame the hike on a
"miscommunication" and avoid the full blame. The nation
remains calm today, but if the national mood at the end of
the last strike is an indicator, a new strike could attract
widespread support soon after the NLC announces its
intentions.
MEECE