Multiple filling stations remained closed in various states as queues for petrol, also known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), continued on Monday. Depots were rationing the volumes of PMS released to marketers, exacerbating the situation.
In Abuja, Niger, and Nasarawa states, many filling stations were shut, while those that were open had varying levels of queues for fuel.
Along the Kubwa-Zuba expressway in Abuja, both NNPC and Conoil had long queues of motorists on Monday. Other stations like Salbas, Gegu Oil, and Eterna were closed without any product to dispense.
Meanwhile, in Niger State, NNPC outlets between Zuba and Madalla were closed, as were several other outlets on the same route. This closure resulted in long queues at the only Mobil station in Madalla.
As queues persisted, depot owners grappled with limited petrol supply. Major marketers’ stations were the only ones dispensing fuel amid long lines in parts of Lagos and Ogun State.
Independent marketers’ outlets remained closed due to the lack of fuel supply, leading to increased transport fares in Lagos and Ogun states.
One of our correspondents noted a long queue at the NNPC Retail outlet in Iyana-Woro, where petrol was sold at different prices than in Abuja and Lagos.
The situation was similar at Heyden, MRS, Conoil, TotalEnergies, and Mobil stations, where prices ranged between N617 and N650 per liter.
Drivers unwilling to wait in queues resorted to independent marketers selling fuel at higher rates, further straining the situation.
A depot operator revealed that depots were rationing the scarce product on Monday, with a slow loading process due to insufficient supplies.
There were concerns that restoring normalcy might take up to a week, potentially worsened by planned protests that could disrupt the supply chain.
Reports indicated that fuel scarcity and queues persisted in Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, Niger, and other states due to dry petrol depots, with black marketers exploiting the situation.
While efforts were being made to resolve the fuel supply challenges, long queues continued at filling stations in Abuja and Lagos, impacting daily operations and causing inconvenience to the public.
The NNPC assured that they were working diligently with stakeholders to address the situation and normalize fuel distribution operations across affected areas.