Nigeria NNPC Limited Releases More Volumes, Yet Petrol Scarcity Persists Into Third Week

Petrol scarcity continues into the third week in Nigeria. Marketers are hopeful as NNPC increases supply. Queues ease in Abuja, but Lagos still faces shortages. Independent marketers expect improvement soon, urging patience.

As Nigeria struggles with prolonged petrol scarcity, which has now entered its third week, there are mixed sentiments among marketers regarding the situation. While some remain optimistic due to the release of additional volumes by NNPC Limited, challenges persist, particularly in Lagos.

In Abuja, queues at filling stations have noticeably reduced, but in Lagos, the situation remains unresolved, with many outlets still facing supply constraints. Chief Chinedu Ukadike, the Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), shed light on the current state of affairs.

He explained that while independent marketers are gradually starting to receive products, especially from coastal depots in Calabar, Port Harcourt, and Warri, challenges persist due to logistical issues. Ukadike highlighted the reliance on daughter vessels to distribute products to coastal areas, emphasizing the lengthy travel distances involved for trucks.

He expressed optimism that the situation would improve in the coming days as more petrol is distributed, particularly prioritizing areas like Abuja. However, Ukadike also pointed out challenges with license renewal processes, urging NNPC Limited to expedite the process to avoid market disruptions.

Despite the challenges, Ukadike commended NNPC Limited for its efforts and hoped that lessons would be learned to prevent similar issues in the future. With over 10,000 marketers awaiting license renewal, the timely facilitation of this process is crucial to ensuring uninterrupted petrol supply across the country.