Nigeria: Fuel scarcity has caused long queues at filling stations
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
Fuel scarcity has caused long queues at filling stations in Abuja and five other states, leading to stranded commuters and increased transport fares. The scarcity is due to a shortage in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to the affected areas. Oil marketers are set to hold a meeting with the management of the retail subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to address the shortage. Motorists have been flocking to the few filling stations that have petrol, causing heavy traffic in Abuja. The scarcity has also affected other states, with many filling stations closed and commuters left stranded. The reason for the shortage is being investigated, and oil marketers are hopeful that the situation will improve when the Dangote Petroleum Refinery starts producing PMS for the domestic market. In Anambra State, the scarcity has led to increased transportation fares and stranded commuters. Petrol stations in major cities like Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi remained closed, causing frustration among the public. The Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources assured the public that there was no cause for alarm and that the petrol stations were likely closed due to a meeting of the petrol marketers. In Lagos, there were long queues at some filling stations, while others were not selling petrol. Prices varied at different stations, with the NNPC filling station selling at a lower rate compared to other stations. In Abeokuta, Ogun State, residents are buying petrol for between N650 and N710 per litre, with long queues at the few stations that are selling fuel.
Gombe State has also been hit by fuel scarcity, with motorists suspecting sabotage and fuel selling for between N760 and N800 per litre. Sokoto State has seen a rise in petrol prices, with the product reaching N830 per litre and most filling stations closing before 4 pm. Efforts to get a response from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) regarding the scarcity and queues were unsuccessful. The NNPC is the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria, as other marketers have stopped importing due to a lack of access to adequate foreign exchange.
