The ongoing fuel shortage in Nigeria intensified yesterday, leaving filling stations depleted and forcing many to shut their gates to motorists and other consumers.
The situation has caused widespread panic buying and long queues at the few stations still dispensing fuel.
Panic Buying Grips Lagos
In Lagos, long queues were observed at filling stations with available stock, as residents engaged in panic buying. Along major roads like Ikorodu Road, Maryland, and Marina, illegal operators were seen hawking fuel due to the absence of regulatory enforcement by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDRA).
Abuja Faces Severe Shortages
The situation in Abuja grew dire as more filling stations ran out of stock, with black market prices soaring to N1,500 per litre. Many petrol stations, including those owned by major marketers in the central areas of the city, were shut down.
However, NNPC Retail mega stations and NIPCO stations continued to dispense fuel, attracting long queues at their locations in Karu, Airport Road, and the Central Business District.
Logistics Challenges and Flooding Blamed
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) attributed the supply difficulties to logistics challenges and recent flooding in coastal areas. Despite assurances from government officials, the crisis has persisted into its sixth day.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Speaks
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), addressed the nation via his verified social media handle, X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Dear Nigerians, I understand the frustration many of you are feeling due to the fuel queues in cities such as Abuja.
Recent flooding on the trucking route and unavoidable logistical challenges due to weather concerns have temporarily disrupted our distribution chain.
I assure you that our dedicated team is working round the clock to resolve these issues. We are committed to restoring normal fuel supply as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.”
Call for Government Action
Festus Osifo, President General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), urged the federal government to address the underlying issues affecting fuel supply.
Speaking at the PENGASSAN Women Annual Convention in Abuja, he said, “We will continuously have perennial oil scarcity until we do what is right. There is no silver bullet today that is going to stop the scarcity that will come periodically.”
Osifo emphasized the need for improved infrastructure, including the use of pipelines and railways for fuel transportation, to avoid recurring shortages.
“We must be able to deepen the facilities of oil and gas logistics. Until we do that, this problem, we will solve it now, but in the next few months, it will come back,” he added.
PETROAN Calls for Subsidized Logistics
Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), highlighted the impact of logistical challenges and forex shortages on fuel distribution.
He stated, “If there is anybody to be blamed; it should be blamed from the source of the products because retailers only sell what we are given, we do not import or refine.”
Gillis-Harry called for government subsidies on logistics to reduce the cost of fuel distribution, adding that the highest price of petrol should not exceed N680.
He also urged patience and understanding from Nigerians, assuring that the current shortages would be resolved.
As the fuel crisis continues to disrupt daily life across Nigeria, calls for government intervention and improved infrastructure are growing louder.
