The resurgence of petrol queues in Lagos and its neighboring areas has ignited a sense of urgency among motorists and consumers as they grapple with the challenge of acquiring fuel. This issue, initially detected on Monday, has not only persisted but has also extended its reach to various fuel outlets, raising concerns about the overall availability of this essential commodity.
Abubakar Maiganda, the National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), voiced the predicament faced by their members, who have been grappling with obstacles hindering the lifting of the product for several consecutive days. In response to these concerns, Femi Soneye, the spokesperson for NNPC Limited, moved to allay fears, assuring the public that there are no underlying supply issues. He emphasized, “We are pleased to confirm that our products remain readily available. The recent tightness experienced in certain areas was due to a brief distribution issue in Lagos, which has since been resolved.”
Huub Stokman, the Chairman of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), shed light on the intricacies of the situation. Stokman explained that the constraints in product distribution were primarily linked to electoral activities that unfolded over the weekend in various parts of the country. Despite affirming the presence of substantial commercial stocks of the product, both on-shore and off-shore, Stokman pointed out the impact of movement restrictions during local elections. “For example, all marketers couldn’t load in Apapa on Saturday, and these restrictions take a few days to correct themselves due to the complexity of the overall supply chain in Nigeria. I am sure we will see any knock-on effects resolved in the next few days,” he remarked.
However, Vanguard’s on-the-ground investigation painted a slightly different picture. While outlets belonging to major marketers continued their operations, those affiliated with independent counterparts remained shuttered to motorists and consumers. Interestingly, the filling stations that did open for business maintained consistent pricing, thereby acting as a deterrent against any inclination among motorists to exploit the situation by raising transport fares in Lagos and its surrounding areas.
In navigating through these challenges, it becomes evident that the intricacies of Nigeria’s supply chain, coupled with the recent electoral events, have contributed to the temporary disruptions in the distribution of petroleum products. As assurances are made and corrective measures are implemented, there is an expectation that the current petrol queues and related inconveniences will gradually subside in the coming days, providing much-needed relief to both motorists and consumers alike.
