Numerous tankers are currently present at different depots in Lagos, awaiting the loading of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, for delivery to various states across the country amidst the worsening scarcity of PMS.
Reports indicate that while some trucks have commenced loading, the supply of this product by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited remains insufficient.
Oil marketers have verified the start of loading but have concerns that the queues may persist until Friday.
Long queues for fuel, a recurring issue in cities like Abuja, Nasarawa, Niger, and neighboring states, reappeared in Lagos on Sunday.
NewsNow mentioned that NNPC had pledged to alleviate the petrol queues by Wednesday, as the black market for PMS surged on Sunday.
Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC, informed our reporters that the company is diligently addressing the fuel supply obstacles and anticipates the queues to vanish by mid-week.
While discussing the fuel supply situation on Monday, Abubakar Maigandi, the National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, stated that marketers would only distribute what they receive from NNPC.
Chief Ukadike Chinedu, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, remarked on the challenges faced in the downstream oil sector, citing recent nationwide protests as exacerbating factors.
In response to inquiries regarding lingering petrol queues nationwide, Maigandi emphasized their reliance on NNPC for product supply and highlighted existing challenges hindering a smooth distribution process.
Amidst the ongoing scarcity, reports suggest that fuel queues continue to persist in Lagos, Abuja, and other regions, with indications that the situation might endure till Friday before showing signs of improvement.
As the workweek commenced, queues at filling stations increased, providing black marketeers with more opportunities to exploit the situation by profiteering on petrol sales at inflated prices in certain parts of Lagos.
In various locations within Lagos, queues were observed at the few stations dispensing petrol.
The unavailability of PMS led to elevated transportation costs and prolonged waiting times for commuters seeking transport services to their destinations.
Some vehicle owners have resorted to parking their cars, opting for public transportation due to the extensive periods spent waiting in fuel queues.
Inspections in Lagos confirmed that filling stations operated by NNPC and major marketers experienced the lengthiest queues on Monday, as they sold premium motor spirits at rates ranging from N570 to N670 per liter.
On the other hand, independent marketers, mainly reliant on private depot owners for supply, reportedly faced higher procurement costs, leading to increased petrol prices at their stations, reaching up to N1,000 per liter in some areas.
Private depots were accused of price gouging as marketers passed on the additional costs to consumers, compounding the ongoing petrol shortage woes.
Sources at Apapa depot revealed that fuel loading operations remained erratic as of Monday, with quantities loaded falling short of anticipated targets.
While some trucks were loaded on Monday, depot activities were reported to be at a minimal level, suggesting that the current fuel crisis might endure till the end of the week unless significant improvements occur.
An anonymous petroleum firm official expressed concerns over the prevailing low depot activities and indicated skepticism regarding the immediate resolution of the fuel scarcity challenges.
Despite NNPC’s efforts to address distribution hurdles, fuel queues persist in various states, with prices exceeding N1,000 per liter in some locations nationwide.
The pump price surged to N980 per liter in several parts of Anambra State, amid fluctuating prices at filling stations across the region.
Fuel prices have been fluctuating in different regions, with prices varying between N980 and N1,400 per litre at black markets. Most petrol stations in major cities like Onitsha, Ekwulobia, Nnewi, and Awka are selling fuel within the range of N980 to N1,000 per litre. However, NNPCL is selling below N980 despite long queues of vehicles.
Due to the unstable fuel prices, transportation fares have become erratic, affecting the prices of commodities like foodstuff. Food vendors have increased their prices citing the high transportation costs. This situation has left commuters stranded at bus stops as commercial drivers are operating only during peak hours to recover their expenses quickly.
In Ibadan, the pump price of fuel was reported to be N850 per litre, with some filling stations in Bere area remaining closed for weeks due to stock depletion. BOVAS station in the state capital is dispensing fuel for N650 per litre, while NNPCL sub-stations are selling at N580 per litre. Other stations like African Petroleum, Total, and Optima have varying prices ranging from N635 to N780 per litre.
In Osogbo, Osun State, most filling stations are out of fuel, with independent marketers selling at N800 per litre. Edo State has seen independent marketers selling between N830 and N890 per litre, while major marketers sell between N680 and N688 per litre. In Uyo, fuel is priced between N900 and N950 per litre, worsening the transportation costs in the city.
Gombe State, Bauchi State, and Nasarawa State are also facing fuel scarcity, with prices ranging from N850 to N1,000 per litre. The situation is no different in Sokoto State, Kaduna, and Benue where residents are expressing frustrations over the increased fuel prices.
The fuel scarcity has caused untold hardship to motorists in Kaduna and its environs. In Benue State, petrol is being sold at prices between N960 and N980 per litre in many filling stations.