Fuel scarcity has risen across Nigeria, with depots running dry and black marketers taking advantage of the situation. Motorists face long queues as petrol prices rise to N1,300 per litre. The NNPC blames the crisis on vessel discharge issues and promises solutions, but nationwide shortages persist.
The scarcity continues to disrupt daily life in Nigeria, affecting states including Lagos, Ogun, and sections of Abuja. Many Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol depots are dry, resulting in long queues at petrol stations. Black marketers took advantage of the situation, selling petrol at outrageous prices of up to N1,500 per litre.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has linked the supply and distribution issues to a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels. Despite assurances from NNPC to resolve the situation, the crisis has worsened.
Depot operators have reported that many depots are out of stock, which is affecting the product load-out. This scarcity has had a tremendous impact on both customers and marketers, with many needing help to purchase fuel as easily as they used to. Hammed Fashola, the National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), is optimistic that the situation will improve shortly as products are delivered to depots.