Nigerian oil marketers have projected that the pump price of petrol could rise above N700 per liter in the northern region of the country starting in July.

The National Controller Operations, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mike Osatuyi, said in an interview on Wednesday that prices could rise to above N700 in the north once independent marketers start importing products from July. it means people from the southeast might pay pf N1000 per liter because they are already paying N600- N800 in that area now.

He stated, that while those living in the northern states could pay as much as N700 and above for one liter of petrol, those outside Lagos should expect to pay around N610, as residents in Lagos would pay about N600 per liter.

“What I am seeing is around N600 and above, depending on the exchange rate, the current crude price at the international market, and the landing cost. Those in Lagos will pay around N600, those outside Lagos around N600 plus, while those in the north would be paying anything from N700 and above,” he said.

The downstream sector currently awaits fresh petroleum products as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority continues to license operators willing to get involved in the importation business.

The Executive Secretary, of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Olufemi Adewole, also stated on Tuesday that the NMDPRA was currently licensing more importers.

He said arrangements were on full speed for fresh products from July, adding that prices of products would depend on market fundamentals.