On Thursday, queues for Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, worsened in Abuja and neighboring Nasarawa and Niger states. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited attributed this escalation to logistical challenges but assured that the issue had been addressed.
Petrol scarcity persisted on Thursday in the Federal Capital Territory and several other Northern states, leading many filling stations to cease operations. Those that remained open witnessed long queues of vehicles awaiting fuel.
The price of petrol surged to an average of N700 per litre at stations operated by independent marketers. However, the limited number of NNPC retail outlets that had petrol maintained the approved price of N617 per litre set by the oil firm.
Independent marketers informed our correspondent that the supply of PMS to Abuja via the Suleja Depot in Niger State had been inadequate. They emphasized that fuel trucks were no longer arriving at the Suleja Depot and other depots in the North as frequently as before.
As previously reported by The PUNCH, on Wednesday, numerous filling stations in Abuja and approximately five other states were shut down due to the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), resulting in lengthy queues at the remaining outlets.
According to the report, thousands of commuters in the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Niger, Gombe, Sokoto, and Anambra states were left stranded at different bus stops due to the shortage of PMS required by transport operators to operate their vehicles.
Consequently, transport fares increased in the affected states, with the few operators who had access to petrol raising their rates.
The situation continued on Thursday, as the Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abuja-Suleja Branch, Mohammed Shuaibu, told our correspondent that there was still a low supply of PMS to the capital city and its environs.
“There is low supply while the demand for PMS is high. Right now only NNPC retail stations are selling at N617/litre in Abuja and other northern states. Every other station has arbitrary prices.
“The current reception at the Suleja Depot, which supplies Abuja and its environs, is very poor, the trucks are not coming and we understand that there is a cut down in supply from the depots in Warri and Lagos where products normally come from.”
When asked whether the NNPC was failing to import sufficient PMS to meet local demand, Shuabu responded, “This could be another factor because scarcity and resulting queues often occur during periods of short supply.
“Nevertheless, NNPC’s retail stations are making efforts, as they are the only ones maintaining their pump prices at N617 per litre in the northern region.
“However, prices vary among other marketers, both major and independent dealers. Some sell PMS at N700 per litre, while others charge even higher rates. If the situation doesn’t improve by next week, you might find it selling at N800 per litre.”
The IPMAN official urged the Federal Government to step in by ensuring an increased supply of petrol through NNPC, highlighting that many motorists were now resorting to panic buying.
NNPC Responds
In response to the situation, Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC, attributed the scarcity to logistical challenges, though he did not provide further details.
However, he assured that the issue had been resolved and urged motorists not to engage in panic buying. He emphasized that the national oil company, as the sole importer of petrol, had an adequate supply of products.
He stated, “NNPC Ltd wishes to clarify that the current tightness in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit experienced in some areas across the country is due to logistical issues, which have now been addressed.
“The company also reiterates that there are no changes in the prices of petroleum products. It urges Nigerians to refrain from panic buying as the country has sufficient product supply.”
