The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) has provided assurance that the ongoing fuel scarcity and accompanying queues will be resolved by Wednesday, April 31, according to Mr. Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Communications Officer of NNPCL.

Speaking to Newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday, Soneye stated that the company currently has an excess of 1.5 billion litres of products available, which can sustain for at least 30 days.

Addressing the recent disruptions in distribution, Soneye explained that logistical challenges had caused a three-day delay, which has now been resolved. However, he noted that overcoming such disruptions typically takes double the time to return to normal operations.

Concerning profiteering amid the scarcity, Soneye assured that efforts are underway to clear the queues promptly, stating, “The lines will be cleared out between today and tomorrow.”

Echoing the sentiment, Mr. Hammed Fashola, the National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), expressed optimism that queues in Lagos and Ogun would ease off this week, relying on NNPC’s assurances.

Fashola acknowledged potential delays in Abuja due to logistical challenges and the distance to Lagos but affirmed that more products would become available for lifting by marketers by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Meanwhile, stranded motorists and commuters in Lagos expressed concern over the frequent fuel scarcity, leading to fewer commercial vehicles and fare hikes. Long queues persisted at filling stations across the metropolis, including Mobil, NIPCO, TotalEnergies, Forte Oil, and ConOil along Ikorodu Road, among others, indicating ongoing challenges in the distribution chain.