 |
Fuel Scarcity: Major Marketers Blame Thunderstorm |
Travelers and motorists in Abuja are facing significant fuel shortages, with many filling stations closed or experiencing long queues. The Major Energy Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) attributes the scarcity to supply chain disruptions caused by recent thunderstorms, particularly affecting Lagos.
Reports indicate that both independent and major oil marketers in Abuja and surrounding areas have run out of fuel. Long queues were observed at stations like AA Rano in Wuse zone 2 and Doma in Gwagwalada, while many others remained closed.
Motorists expressed frustration over the scarcity, which has led to increased transport fares and forced some residents to walk long distances. Commercial drivers like Mr. Ayuba Solomon and Godwin Emmanuel have had to park their vehicles or raise fares due to the high cost of fuel, which has reached up to N900 per liter in some areas.
A director at a petrol station, who wished to remain anonymous, blamed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the lack of supply, despite ongoing fuel subsidies. Long queues were also seen at TotalEnergies and other stations along the Kubwa expressway.
In Lagos, slight queues were observed at major filling stations, with fuel prices ranging from N568 to N610 per liter. Black marketers were seen selling petrol in jerry cans.
The President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association (IPMAN), Alhaji Abubakar Migandi, confirmed the scarcity, while MEMAN’s Executive Secretary, Clement Isong, cited thunderstorms and flooding as causes for the supply chain delays. He assured that the situation would improve in a few days.
