NNPCL: Fuel scarcity returns to the streets of Nigeria

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) has provided assurance to the citizens of Nigeria that the prevailing fuel scarcity issues and resulting queues will be effectively resolved by Wednesday, April 31.

Mr. Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Communications Officer of NNPCL, conveyed this information on Tuesday from the company’s headquarters in Lagos.

Mr. Soneye elaborated on the current status of the company’s inventory, revealing an impressive stockpile of petroleum products exceeding 1.5 billion liters.

This substantial reserve is projected to sustain the nation’s fuel demands for a minimum of 30 days, ensuring a stable supply chain and alleviating concerns regarding fuel availability.

“Unfortunately, we experienced a three-day disruption in distribution due to logistical issues, which has since been resolved.

However, as you know, overcoming such disruptions typically requires double the amount of time to return to normal operations,” he aid.

He said: “Some folks are taking advantage of this situation to maximize profits.

“Thankfully, product scarcity has been minimal lately, but these folks might be exploiting the situation for unwarranted gain

“The lines will be cleared out between today and tomorrow,” Soneye assured.

Furthermore, Mr. Hammed Fashola, the distinguished National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), shared his optimistic outlook on the situation.

He expressed confidence that the persistent queues observed in Lagos and Ogun states would gradually dissipate throughout the week, citing the reassurances provided by NNPCL as a key factor in this anticipated improvement.

However, Mr. Fashola acknowledged that the queues in the capital city of Abuja might experience a slight delay in resolution due to the geographical distance from Lagos, where the primary distribution hub is located.

Despite this potential delay, he remained steadfast in his belief that the collaborative efforts of NNPCL and industry stakeholders would effectively address the fuel distribution challenges nationwide.

“The information available to us from the NNPCL was that there was a logistics problem, and when that happens, it will disrupt the supply chain.

“That might be a delay in the movement of ships from the mother vessel to the daughter vessel before it gets to the depot tanks.

“Before we can correct that, surely it will take some days. I think by Tuesday or Wednesday, there will be more products available for lifti¹ng by marketers.

“It might take time before it can ease off in Abuja, considering the distance to Lagos and the bad roads; Lagos might be calm this new week,” – Fashola assured.

The correspondent from NAN, who diligently monitored the situation on Monday, has reported on the concerning issue of frequent fuel scarcity in the bustling Lagos metropolis.

This unfortunate circumstance has left many motorists and commuters stranded, leading to a notable decrease in the availability of commercial vehicles and subsequently causing a surge in transportation fares.

A thorough observation within the Lagos metropolis revealed that only a limited number of filling stations were operational, resulting in extensive queues at most locations.

The scarcity of fuel was not confined to Lagos alone but was also prevalent in areas such as Abule-Egba and its surroundings, Abbatoir Road in Agege, Akowonjo Road, Bariga, Fola-Agoro, and the well-known Lasu-Igando Road.

At the few filling stations that were dispensing petrol, lengthy queues of vehicles were observed, stretching several meters in length.

The situation was consistent across the metropolis on Monday, with petrol queues forming at prominent filling stations like Mobil, NIPCO, TotalEnergies, Forte Oil, and ConOil along Ikorodu Road.

Furthermore, the scarcity extended to various locations such as North West at Maryland, Gbagada, NIPCO along Ijede road in Ikorodu, and TotalEnergies at the NNPC bus stop in Ejigbo, where queues of vehicles extended up to approximately 500 meters from the fuel pumps.

In light of these circumstances, it is advisable for motorists and commuters to plan their journeys meticulously, considering the prevailing fuel scarcity and the associated challenges it presents.