A supply glitch in accessing products from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has exacerbated the fuel scarcity nationwide, according to key petroleum marketers associations.
While the NNPCL cited logistical issues as the cause, marketers claim there is insufficient supply, despite assurances from the company. For two weeks, members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have reportedly struggled to obtain supplies.
The situation worsened in Lagos, with many independent marketers’ stations closed and long queues forming at others. According to the national president of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, accessing products from the NNPCL has become difficult, leading to dry outlets and locked doors.
Although the NNPCL reassured the public of product availability, petrol scarcity intensified early Monday morning in Lagos. Fuel stations were selling petrol for as high as N700 to N850 per liter, with black market prices reaching as high as N900 per liter in some areas.
In Kaduna, fuel scarcity also paralyzed business activities, with fuel selling for N1,000 per liter at some stations and reaching N1,500 per liter in the black market. This led many car owners to opt for public transport, causing transport fares to skyrocket.
The Senate has vowed to intervene if the fuel crisis persists beyond the explanations provided by the NNPCL. Despite the recess, relevant committees are monitoring the situation closely, and the Senate stands ready to act upon resumption of plenary sessions.
