Nigerians across the country are facing a crippling fuel crisis, with many depots running dry and prices skyrocketing on the black market.
In Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, Niger, and other states, long queues have formed at the few filling stations that still have supply, as motorists struggle to find fuel. Black marketers have taken advantage of the scarcity, selling petrol for as much as N1,300 per liter in some areas – over twice the official pump price.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has attributed the tightness in fuel supply to “a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.” The company says it is working to resolve the situation and restore normalcy.
However, the crisis appears to be worsening, with no loading of fuel trucks reported at the crucial Apapa depots on Sunday. Many filling stations remained closed, while those open had extensive queues as desperate drivers jockeyed for scarce supplies.
“We, marketers, too are surprised that we couldn’t get fuel as we used to get at depots,” said Hammed Fashola, the National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria. He noted that most depots are currently “dry,” forcing many retailers to resort to purchasing from private depots at prices over N700 per liter.
The fuel scarcity has led to a spike in transportation costs, with some bus drivers increasing fares by 50% or more. Residents in border communities like Ipokia, Ogun State say they now have little choice but to patronize black market vendors selling at up to N1,200 per liter.
Industry groups say the problem stems from challenges in bringing fuel shipments into the country. They are urging the NNPC, the sole supplier, to address the “fundamental issue” with the fuel distribution network to prevent such crises from recurring.
With no clear timeline for when normal supply will resume, Nigerians face the prospect of continued fuel shortages and price gouging in the days ahead.
