‘NNPC Not Supplying Us’, Oil Marketers Declare as States Experience Fuel Shortages
Marketers credit Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the nation’s main oil supplier, with the current shortage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), or fuel.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) National President Billy Gillis-Harry said this on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief breakfast show on Monday.
Many economic activity in states across the Federation have been halted by the recent fuel shortage as Nigerians wait in line at petrol stations all over the country. Some drivers paid between N700 and N1200 per litre for fuel at different retail shops after hours of work and competition. Less lucky were others, though, as many retail stores are still closed, claiming a shortage of supplies.
There was a shortage of the premium product, thus in some states black marketers were charging as much as N2,000 per litre for petrol.
Snake-like lines at petrol stations in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano and other locations have made the traffic situation in the states worse. Thousands of passengers are stranded at bus stations with transportation costs up to quadruple the previous amounts as a result of these massive lines spilling into main roads and impeding traffic.
Checks by our correspondent in Lagos revealed that NNPC retail shops offer petrol at N568 a litre, but not many drivers could survive the endless lines and jostling for often six hours. Many outlets controlled by independent oil marketers remained closed.
“Tightness in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit currently experienced in some areas across the country is as a result of logistics issues and that they have been resolved,” said NNPC spokesman Olufemi Soneye on Thursday.
The NNPC further stated that there will be no changes in the cost of petroleum products and advised Nigerians to refrain from making rash purchases because there is a paucity of supplies.
Billy Gillis-Harry of PETROAN said that the supply issue is still unsolved even if NNPC has made efforts to find a solution.
“NNPC has its own outlets that they also serve,” said Gillis-Harry. If they are having any logistical problems, that might be an internal NNPC problem. In terms of ourselves, PETROAN members, however, we can assure Nigerians that we will provide petroleum products to us provided we are paid for them.
“As retail outlet owners or marketers, we are the ones accountable for this situation,” I would want to make clear to Nigerians. We are eager and have no excuse not to serve the public. We will make sure that our retail shops are open; some of them are even open around-the-clock, and all that is needed is for NNPC to distribute petroleum goods to us.
“Only NNPC retail outlets are affected by the logistical challenge.”
Petrol pump prices increased from approximately N184 to about N600 per litre when President Bola Tinubu eliminated subsidies on the fuel in May. The liberalisation of the oil industry has caused tremendous suffering for Nigerians and led to soaring costs for necessities.
At the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, the President once more justified his actions, stating that his administration’s decision to withdraw the petrol subsidy was crucial in keeping the nation from going bankrupt.