Petroleum marketers provided further insight on the ongoing scarcity of petrol nationwide. Akin Akinrinade, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) at Ejigbo Satellite Depot, highlighted that most private depots in Lagos were either not selling or offering petrol at excessively high prices. He emphasized that only the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) could determine when the scarcity would end,Daily Trust reports.
Akinrinade noted instances of petrol selling for as much as N750 to N800 per litre, indicating that stations selling at N720 per litre might be dispensing old stock. He lamented the abandonment of the satellite depot, crucial for addressing supply issues in the South-West region.
John Kekeocha, IPMAN’s National Secretary, mentioned on Channels Television that many stations had resumed supply after the NNPCL resolved logistical challenges. He clarified that only NNPC Ltd supplies petrol, with other marketers reliant on them due to logistical constraints.
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Clement Isong, Executive Secretary of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), attributed the scarcity to a shortage of vessels for transporting petrol to depots. He expressed optimism that increased vessel hiring by NNPCL would alleviate the situation.
Addressing concerns of a price hike, Isong assured that MOMAN prioritizes stability and does not engage in risky practices. He urged Nigerians to refrain from panic buying, which exacerbates queues and pressures marketers.
A source close to major depot owners revealed anticipation of the scarcity weeks prior, attributing it to a halt in petrol supply. Government subsidy support reportedly ceased, prompting concerns over sustainability and the necessity of local production, particularly with the upcoming Dangote refinery operations.
Efforts to obtain comments from NNPCL were unsuccessful, while reassurance was provided by their spokesperson regarding product availability.
The fuel shortage disrupted work resumption in Lagos and Ogun, impacting school attendance in some areas due to transport unavailability.
In Kano, Borno, and Yobe states, intra-city transportation fares rose, affecting students and commuters. Keke NAPEP riders increased fares to cope with the situation.
In Kwara State, government officials visited filling stations to deter hoarding, urging stations to sell petrol to ease public hardship. Motorists appealed for continued monitoring to mitigate scarcity-induced challenges.
