Nigeria is currently facing a severe petrol scarcity, with long queues at filling stations across the country.
Petrol marketers have attributed the crisis to supply challenges from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the sole importer of the premium commodity.
Billy Gillis-Harry, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), spoke on behalf of the marketers on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief breakfast programme. He stated that due to the NNPC’s supply challenges, marketers have had to resort to private depot owners to obtain petrol, leading to a slight increase in prices at retail outlets.
The NNPC has blamed the resurfacing petrol scarcity in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on product movement disruptions caused by inclement weather conditions and flooding. The state-owned oil company attributed the fuel scarcity and surge in prices to a disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of petrol, between mother vessels and daughter vessels, resulting from recent thunderstorms.
The adverse weather conditions have also affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs, and transportation of products to filling stations, disrupting station supply logistics. Additionally, flooding on truck routes has constrained the movement of petrol from coastal areas to the FCT.
Aside from NNPC filling stations selling at around ₦570 in Lagos, retail outlets owned by independent marketers have increased their prices from about ₦615 to over ₦650. The prices are even higher in Abuja and other states, with some filling stations selling as high as ₦800 per litre.
Gillis-Harry denied allegations that petrol marketers are taking advantage of Nigerians by hiking prices, stating that the highest cost of petrol should not exceed ₦680. He attributed the rising costs to the complex logistics of fuel distribution, as diesel used by trucks has also become scarce and expensive.
The PETROAN chief urged the NNPC to explore alternatives and make arrangements to ensure a steady supply of petroleum products. He also called for the government to subsidize the prices of logistics for fuel distribution across Nigeria.
Motorists and commuters are currently facing significant challenges due to fuel scarcity, with transport fares doubling in some areas. The situation has also disrupted businesses, with some traders unable to operate due to the lack of petrol.
The NNPC has assured that it is working with relevant stakeholders to resolve the logistics challenges and restore a seamless supply of petrol to affected areas. The company has also called on motorists to avoid panic buying and hoarding petroleum products
SOURCE: Channels Television