Fuel Scarcity: Long Queues Resurface in Different States as Flood Disrupts Supply Chain

Nigeria’s persistent flood across key economic states has disrupted the supply chain of fuel supply in Africa’s largest economy as long queues are now visible in various filling stations.

In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, filling stations are grappling with fuel shortages and have been unable to meet the growing demand for the commodity most Nigerians relied on to run their businesses and power their homes.

Inability to access supplies made it impossible for filling stations to sell to motorists and other consumers. There are also indications that petrol stations with commercial stocks have increased their prices, ranging between N200 and N250 per litre, depending on the location.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, petrol scarcity continues to bite hard for over four weeks, as different places in the state are faced with lingering petrol scarcity. Authorities have blamed the fuel shortage in the state on the severe flooding that ravaged its neighbour, Kogi state.

In a bid to solve the issue of fuel scarcity in the state, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited  (NNPCL) on October 12 announced the arrival of 146 petroleum trucks. In a statement made available to states, NNPCL said, “We want to inform the general public that more petroleum trucks have started arriving in Abuja and other destinations as the flood that earlier restricted the movement of trucks has receded. As of yesterday, October 11, 2022, 146 petroleum tanker trucks have arrived at the depot for dispatches into Abuja and the environs.” 

However, despite the arrival of these petroleum tankers, fuel scarcity still persists in the state.

Speaking on the recent fuel scarcity across different States in Nigeria, the National Operations Controller, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Mr. Mike Osatuyi, said “The situation has culminated in higher prices at the depots. Our members, who find it difficult to get the product, pay between N175 – N185 per litre. Consequently, we are compelled to sell at higher prices in order to cover cost.”

Also commenting on the biting fuel scarcity faced by residents in Abuja he said, “The current queue situation in some parts of Abuja and its environs is as a result of delays in the arrival of fuel trucks.

“This is happening as a result of heavy flooding that has submerged parts of the highway passing through Lokoja, Kogi State and also an incidence of a failed road section around Badegi-Agaie highway in Niger State. Consequently, vehicles, especially fuel tankers, are finding alternative roads to get to their intended destinations”.

In spite of all these, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has appealed to Nigerians to desist from panic buying, adding that it has enough in stock and measures are being put in place to restore supplies.

Investors King understands that scarcity of fuel in the country, which has led to an increase in fare price, has worsened the plight of a lot of Nigerians who are still battling with inflation that has affected the price of food and commodities