On Monday, motorists in the major cities of Lagos, Abuja, and Ogun faced long queues at filling stations, forcing them to wait for hours as NNPC supply are reduced causing scarcity of fuel.
Long queues were reported at various filling stations in Lagos and Ogun states, including Mobil, Capital, Fatgbems, Enyo, TotalEnergies, and NNPC.
Despite the fact that these filling stations had items that sold for N165/litre, motorists struggled to get fuel with which to run their businesses.
In addition, queues formed in states bordering the FCT, including as Nasarawa and Niger.
Long queues formed at several fueling stations in the Federal Capital Territory, including the NNPC, Mobil, A.A. Rano, AYA Ashafa, and Enyo, among others.
Hundreds of automobiles swarmed the few gas outlets available.
Oil marketers blamed the situation on a decline in supply, claiming that demand for gasoline was currently higher than what the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited could supply.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been the sole importer of fuel into the country for more than four years.
Asked to explain whether there was not enough product, Gillis-Harry replied, “Well, clearly, if there is product, it should be delivered. However, I know the authorities are doing their best to make sure that everyone is monitored and encouraged to sell products at the approved pump price.
“But there are no products in the retail outlets, which is why there will be queues. So, it clearly shows that demand has overwhelmed supply.”
But last Thursday, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority had stated that there were over 32 days sufficiency of petrol by the NNPC.
Also, it was reported that the NNPC intentionally cut down supply of products to fuel marketers.
A former chairman, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria and Chairman/CEO, 11 Plc, Tunji Oyebanji, said that the scarcity was temporary.
“As of last week, there were some talks about low stock and suppliers not giving products, but I think it’s a temporary glitch because NNPC told us they have sufficient stock of fuel,” he said.
Fuel was sold at N165/ltr in places like Ikorodu, Anthony, Surulere, Ikeja, Festac, Ago and VI in Lagos on Monday, but prices were higher at Isheri and its neighbouring towns.
The Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Akeem Balogun, in a statement on Monday, said that considering the current price, it is impossible for the product to be sold at N180 per litre.
Balogun advised members to sell at a sustainable price within their environment adding that they should ensure that the price is on their pump.
“Distinguish marketers, the Chairman and executives in conjunction with some senior members of our unit, organised a press conference where we explained our predicament with the current price of PMS at private depot. We explained that with the current price, there is no way we can sell less than N180 per litre”
According to him, “On this note, members are hereby advised to sell at a sustainable price within their environment. Just make sure that the price is on your pump. Kindly contact the Secretariat should you have any authority challenging your operations”
