Fuel scarcity plaguing several states across Nigeria is anticipated to persist for at least two additional weeks, according to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
Despite assertions from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) about having sufficient product stock, IPMAN’s Public Relations Officer, Chinedu Ukadike, emphasized the unavailability of petrol in the country.
Ukadike attributed the acute shortage to importation bottlenecks, slow renewal of marketers’ licenses by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and maintenance activities at European refineries.
He explained that only 1,050 out of 15,000 marketers have had their licenses renewed by NMDPRA, further exacerbating the supply challenges.
While acknowledging NNPC’s efforts to improve the supply chain, Ukadike highlighted logistical and vessel issues hampering distribution. He suggested that restoring normalcy would take time, estimating two to three months to rectify disruptions in the 30-day supply sufficiency.
“We expect that by next week or so, NNPC should be able to restore supply and with another week, normalcy should return,” Ukadike stated.
Addressing the license renewal challenges faced by marketers, Ukadike appealed to NNPC and NMDPRA to extend deadlines and expedite license processing to alleviate scarcity.
Meanwhile, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, assured the public of adequate product stock and urged against panic buying.
Clement Isong, CEO/Executive Secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), echoed NNPC’s sentiments, assuring that fuel queues would dissipate in the coming days as logistical issues are resolved.
Despite these assurances, fuel scarcity has affected several states, including Lagos, Oyo, and Osun, disrupting economic activities. Motorists in Lagos encountered long queues at operational filling stations, with some outlets selling petrol at elevated prices.
