The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a grim projection, stating that the ongoing fuel scarcity plaguing the nation may persist for at least two more weeks. Despite assurances from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) regarding adequate stock, IPMAN's Public Relations Officer, Chinedu Ukadike, emphasized that the product remains elusive in the country.
Ukadike attributed the acute shortage to a combination of importation bottlenecks and the sluggish pace of license renewals by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). He revealed that out of 15,000 marketers, only 1,050 have managed to renew their licenses, exacerbating the scarcity.
The situation has led to long queues at filling stations across the nation, with motorists enduring hours of waiting. Some major marketers have resorted to selling fuel at inflated prices, further burdening consumers already grappling with economic challenges.
In response to the crisis, NNPC Ltd's Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, assured the public that logistics issues causing the scarcity have been resolved. However, the impact of the shortage continues to be felt, with commuters facing increased transportation costs and businesses grappling with disrupted operations.
The fuel scarcity underscores broader concerns about Nigeria's energy infrastructure and regulatory framework. As citizens endure the hardships brought about by the shortage, pressure mounts on authorities to address the underlying issues and restore stability to the fuel supply chain
