The long fuel queues in Abuja and surrounding areas continued over the weekend, with many filling stations still closed and others selling petrol for as high as N700 per liter.
Petroleum marketers have attributed the supply disruption to transportation logistics, noting that the issue is currently localized to Abuja and parts of northern Nigeria due to challenges faced by fuel tankers reaching these areas.
Abubakar Maigandi, National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), told Arise Television that while there is enough product available, transporting it to Abuja and nearby states has become difficult. He cited poor road conditions as a significant factor causing the scarcity.
Echoing this sentiment, Executive Secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association (MEMAN), Clement Isong, pointed to recent heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, particularly in Lagos, which have hampered truck movements and disrupted supply chains.
Maigandi also noted that ex-depot prices have surged to N715, affecting the prices that IPMAN members can offer. This logistical bottleneck has led to long queues at major filling stations, such as the NNPC mega station on the Gwarimpa axis and others across the city, with some stations like A.A. Rano and NipCo selling fuel for up to N690 per liter.
Black market activity has also increased, with petrol being sold in 10-liter containers for between N10,000 and N11,000, and some black marketers selling a liter for N1,000 near the NNPC headquarters.
Despite the challenges, Maigandi urged the public not to panic, assuring that there is product available but acknowledging the high consumption rate in Abuja exacerbates the situation when there are any logistical issues. He highlighted ongoing negotiations with the NNPC and Dangote refinery to procure products directly, bypassing middlemen to reduce costs and improve supply reliability.
Nigeria's outdated and vandalized pipeline infrastructure, spanning over 5,200 kilometers, forces reliance on tanker transportation, adding to the cost and complexity of fuel distribution. Maigandi emphasized the need for improved road conditions and direct procurement from producers like Dangote to stabilize supply and pricing.
Tags
local