Many depots for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, are currently dry, leading to severe fuel scarcity and long queues in Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, Niger, and other states.

Black marketers have exploited the situation, selling fuel for as high as N1,300 to N1,500 per litre in parts of Lagos and Ogun states. Long queues began forming at fuel stations in Abuja and Lagos on Friday and have continued to grow.

On Saturday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) attributed the tight fuel supply to a hitch in the discharge operations of several vessels. “The NNPC Ltd wishes to state that the tightness in fuel supply and distribution witnessed in some parts of Lagos and the FCT is a result of a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels,” said NNPC Chief Corporate Communications Officer Olufemi Soneye. He added that the company is working round the clock with all stakeholders to resolve the situation and restore normalcy.

Despite these assurances, the situation worsened by Sunday, with long queues observed at several filling stations across major cities. There was no loading of trucks at Apapa depots on Sunday. A depot operator confirmed that almost all depots were dry, attributing the issue to delayed supply affecting product load-out.

In Abuja, the few stations dispensing fuel sold it between N660 and N800 per litre, while black marketers hiked prices to about N1,200 per litre, depending on the location. Oil marketers reported that they too were queuing up to load petrol, as most depots lacked stock.

Hammed Fashola, National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, expressed hope that the situation would normalize within the week. “We couldn’t get fuel as usual at depots. The NNPC’s release on Saturday gives us hope that they will resolve the situation,” he said.

The Executive Secretary of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, also confirmed low stock levels but could not specify when the situation would improve. “The problem is low stock due to challenges in bringing the product into the country from the vessels. Only the NNPC knows when normalcy will be restored,” he stated.

By Sunday, our correspondents reported widespread fuel station closures and long queues at those that were open in Lagos and Ogun states. Black marketers were selling fuel for N1,200 to N1,500 per litre. In Lagos, a bus driver at Ketu motor garage lamented the struggle to get fuel, which has led to fare increases.

Fuel queues were also observed at various locations, including PM Petroleum at Cele Bus Stop along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and the NNPC station at Ogudu, where fuel was sold at N568 per litre. In Ogun State, black marketers sold fuel at N1,200 per litre in border communities due to the scarcity.

In Benin City, Edo State, motorists queued for long hours to purchase fuel at the NNPC mega station on Sapele Road. Fuel prices ranged from N591 per litre at NNPC stations to N750-N800 per litre at other stations. In Gombe, fuel sold between N850 and N1,000 across major stations, while black marketers sold for N1,250 per litre.

In Jos, Plateau State, black marketers sold fuel for N1,300 per litre. Motorists expressed frustration over the persistent scarcity and high prices, which have exacerbated economic hardship.

Similar scenarios played out in Minna, Niger State, where motorists have resorted to using motorcycles due to the high cost of petrol for cars. Queues also resurfaced in Katsina and Taraba states, with motorists spending hours at filling stations without success. In parts of Yola, Adamawa State, black marketers sold fuel for N1,000 to N1,200 per litre.

The ongoing fuel crisis highlights the urgent need for effective solutions to ensure a stable supply and distribution of PMS across the country.