The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) attributes recent petrol scarcity in Lagos and Abuja to discharge issues with several vessels. Efforts are underway to resolve the disruption and restore normal fuel supply. The scarcity follows a dispute between Dangote Refinery and NMDPRA over crude oil and petrol importation
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has attributed recent petrol scarcity in parts of Lagos and Abuja to issues with the discharge operations of several vessels. On Friday, reports emerged about fuel shortages, prompting NNPC to address the situation publicly.
In a statement released on Saturday, Olufemi Soneye, NNPC's chief corporate communications officer, acknowledged the supply disruptions and assured that efforts are underway to resolve the problem. Soneye explained that the tightness in fuel supply and distribution resulted from hitches in the discharge operations of a couple of 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 as a result of a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels,” Soneye stated.
He added that NNPC is working diligently with all stakeholders to restore normalcy.
The scarcity follows a dispute between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over crude oil supply and petrol importation.
Farouk Ahmed, NMDPRA's chief executive officer, recently criticized local refineries, including Dangote's, for producing substandard products compared to imports.
Ahmed also mentioned that Dangote had requested the suspension of petroleum product imports, arguing that this monopolistic demand was detrimental to Nigeria's energy security and market competition.
Aliko Dangote, CEO of Dangote Group, denied these allegations.
NNPC continues to engage with relevant parties to address the supply chain issues and ensure a steady fuel supply across affected regions.
