Enoc & Eppco Silent over Gasoline Price in UAE

Dubai-based petroleum firms yesterday preferred to remain silent about whether they will further hike petrol prices or not. The possibility of a price rise next month dimmed after Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) on Tuesday denied reports that it was going to raise petrol prices in September after Ramadan.

A senior spokesperson for Enoc and Eppco said that they have been specifically instructed not to comment on Adnoc’s statement. “At present we have nothing to say to the media,” he said. When asked whether this meant if the hike could indeed come into effect at its outlets in Dubai and other emirates, the official said. “I can neither confirm nor deny it. I am not willing to make any statements on the issue,” said the official.

Hussain Kazim, Manager, Corporate Communications at Emarat, said: “It is the media that has unnecessarily created confusion about a possible price hike. When there is a decision it will be communicated jointly by all the three companies. Right now no decision has been made to further increase the price,” he said. When specifically asked if he would subscribe to Adnoc’s statement that there would not be any hike in the near future, he said: “Right now, we cannot say anything. That decision has not been made,” he added.

Media reports had indicated that petrol prices are set to go up for the third time in September and that different types of petrol, including Special, E-plus and diesel, will be affected by the increase, scheduled to be implemented after the Eid holiday. The UAE is currently the costliest for petrol in the GCC at 47 cents.- Emirates 24/7