Oil marketers have explained that the recent resurgence of queues at filling stations across various states is due to a halt in the supply of petroleum products. This interruption has been caused by dealers seeking to protect their assets amid the ongoing nationwide hunger protests.
About two weeks ago, many states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, experienced fuel shortages. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited attributed these shortages to “a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.” However, the situation worsened with the onset of the nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship, which began on August 1, 2024, further disrupting petrol supply and causing queues to reappear in some regions.
Chief Chinedu Ukadike, National Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), explained that marketers were advised to shut down their stations during the protests to safeguard their properties. He noted that many tankers did not load products during the first two days of the protests, leading to shortages in states that would otherwise have received supplies.
“Although IPMAN President Abubakar Maigandi urged marketers to continue their operations and asked security agencies to protect our facilities, we were instructed by the authorities to halt sales to manage the situation during the protests and prevent vandalism,” Ukadike said. “The lack of movement of trucks and the closure of depots during the early days of the protests have disrupted the supply chain, resulting in fuel shortages.”
On Friday, The PUNCH reported that the hunger protests had halted petrol loading at Lagos depots, leading to continued fuel scarcity. Depot owners reportedly refused to open for fear of violence, even though the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) offered support.
“There were no activities at the Lagos depots on Thursday and Friday due to product shortages and security concerns. NUPENG was ready to assist, but the security situation was a significant obstacle,” an anonymous operator told The PUNCH. “If the situation improves, loading may resume soon.”
By Sunday, Ukadike noted that some trucks had resumed partial operations, and he expressed hope for an improvement in the fuel supply if protests diminish. “As operations gradually return to normal, the fuel scarcity should ease, although it will not be immediate. The protests, particularly in their early stages, disrupted the supply chain, causing the current shortages.”
### Fuel Scarcity Across States
Many states, including Lagos, Abuja, Katsina, and Delta, experienced varying levels of fuel scarcity on Sunday. In Warri, Delta State, petrol was sold at between N850 and N1,000 per litre due to non-loading at depots.
In Asaba, Delta State, fuel was priced at N1,000 per litre with queues reappearing at stations. In Rivers State, prices ranged from N850 to N870 per litre, and some stations gradually reopened after Thursday and Friday’s closures.
In Akwa Ibom State, fuel was sold between N870 and N890 per litre, with stations operating without significant queues. Edo State saw limited station openings with prices between N800 and N830 per litre, reflecting reduced vehicle traffic due to the ongoing protests.
In Enugu, petrol prices varied from N780 to N890 per litre, with major marketers selling at N780 and independent dealers at N850 to N890. Black market prices reached N1,000 per litre.
Kaduna faced severe shortages on Sunday, with few stations open and fuel sold at exorbitant prices of N860 per litre. Black marketers took advantage of the situation, charging up to N1,000 per litre and N4,500 per gallon.
In Gombe State, black market prices soared to N1,200 per litre. Resident Johnson Mamedu lamented, “I bought fuel for N850, but black marketers are charging N1,200. The situation is dire and uncertain.”
The ongoing protests and resulting fuel scarcity have significantly impacted many areas, with no clear resolution in sight.
(Punch)