Marketers and NNPC Talk as Fuel Scarcity Expands in Nigeria’s Big Cities

If nothing is done, oil marketers are worried that there could soon be a nationwide gasoline shortage. The marketers requested information from the NNPC about the correct distribution position. According to the NNPC, there was adequate gasoline on hand, and that the problems with distribution and supply had been resolved.

Oil marketers have voiced concerns that gasoline could become scarce if depot owners and other dealers are not able to obtain gasoline quickly from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). Marketers warned that if the national oil company doesn’t move quickly, the lengthy lines at gas stations in Lagos and some areas of Ogun state would extend to other regions of the nation.

According to a Punch story, on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, people in Lagos and other parts of Ogun states started to notice lines at various gas stations, which caused traffic in some locations.

In several popular areas of Ogun State and Lagos, the lines were also noticeable at gas stations. The story quotes Olufemi Soneye, a spokesman for NNPCL, as saying that there is enough gasoline and that the firm has no concerns about shortages.

He said that the problems with supply and distribution in certain places had been fixed. He continued: “We are pleased to confirm that there are no supply issues, and our products remain readily available.”There was a minor distribution problem in Lagos that caused the recent tightness in some areas, but it has now been fixed.”

According to certain marketers, NNPCL has persisted in limiting fuel supply to private depots. Marketers claim that some trucks carry 20 instead of 100 loads every day. Oil marketers demand transparency from NNPC. The distributors have all of their trucks parked at NNPC facilities in Lagos, they said, and they wanted the NNPC to come clean in the appropriate position. In the following two days, when the trucks start to load, Hammed Fashola, the National Vice President of IPMAN, hopes that the lines will break.

He said the marketers have been reassured by the NNPC that they have adequate supply.

“They assure us they will start attending to us because it affects us,” he said. “We believe what they said.” Let’s wait and see whether the lines go away between now and tomorrow. It has to do with distribution. Gas stations change their prices. Feelers from a few gas stations in Lagos indicate a modest rise in the cost of goods.

Citing product non-availability, some gas stations have raised their pump rates from N620 to N650 per liter. According to checks conducted by Legit.ng, some gas stations on Lagos’ Iju Road have closed, while others have raised their meter prices. Because marketers refuse to buy gasoline due to foreign exchange concerns, the NNPCL is Nigeria’s only importer of petroleum products.

Fuel lines are back in place in Lagos, Abuja, and other cities due to NNPC Legit supply issues. On Monday, February 6, ng reported a lengthy line at several gas stations as the nationwide gasoline shortage returned in certain regions.

On Monday, February 6, 2024, it was also noted that the majority of gas outlets in Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja were closed to automobiles. The majority of gas stations only had one pump, which resulted in lengthier lineups.