Oil marketers have attributed the resurgence of fuel queues in many Nigerian states to halted petroleum product supplies amid ongoing nationwide hunger protests. These protests, which began on August 1, have caused significant disruptions, prompting dealers to suspend operations to protect their assets.
The reappearance of queues was first observed two weeks ago, which the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) attributed to operational hitches in vessel discharge. Despite efforts to resolve the initial issue, the protests have further exacerbated the situation, leading to widespread fuel shortages.
Chief Chinedu Ukadike, National Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), confirmed that marketers were advised to close their stations during the protests to prevent asset losses. This resulted in a significant number of tankers not loading products, causing a ripple effect and shortages in states where supplies were due.
Ukadike noted that some trucks had resumed skeletal operations, hoping for an improvement in the fuel supply situation as protests abate. However, he cautioned that the scarcity would not resolve immediately and called for an end to the protests to facilitate a return to normalcy.
Several states, including Lagos, Abuja, Katsina, and Delta, have been severely affected by the fuel scarcity. Prices have soared, with petrol selling for as high as N1,200 per litre in some areas. The protests have led to the closure of many filling stations and a surge in black market activity, further compounding the challenges faced by residents and motorists across the country.
