Fuel scarcity has gripped several states in Nigeria, including Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, and others, leading to long queues at fuel stations and soaring prices reaching up to N1,500 per liter in the black market.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The shortage has been exacerbated by dry depots and supply chain disruptions, with reports attributing the situation to delays in vessel discharge operations affecting the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
Despite assurances from NNPC about resolving the situation, many fuel stations remain dry, exacerbating the scarcity. In Lagos, for instance, no trucks were loaded at Apapa depots recently due to limited stock, a situation echoed across various depots where supply delays are impacting distribution schedules.
Marketers and consumers alike are feeling the pinch, with oil marketers reporting difficulties in accessing adequate stock from depots. Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria’s National Vice President, Hammed Fashola, noted that marketers were buying petrol at prices exceeding N700 per liter from private depots, underscoring challenges in direct supplies from NNPC.
The scarcity has not only led to inflated prices but also affected economic activities, causing an increase in transportation costs and impacting businesses reliant on consistent fuel supply.
Residents across affected states have voiced concerns over the hardship caused by the scarcity, urging government intervention to stabilize the situation and ensure adequate fuel distribution.
Efforts are underway by stakeholders to address the root causes, including calls for NNPC to streamline direct supply channels to mitigate dependence on costly private depots.
The situation underscores ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s fuel distribution system, highlighting the need for systemic improvements to prevent recurring scarcities and mitigate economic impacts on citizens and businesses alike.
