Petrol Scarcity Spreads to Lagos, Prices Surge Amid Long Queues

The petrol scarcity that began six days ago in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has now spread to Lagos, causing motorists to endure long waits at the few filling stations selling the product.

A survey by our reporters revealed that many of the stations dispensing petrol were independent marketers, while major marketers remained closed. Independent stations took advantage of the situation by raising pump prices, with a litre selling between N610 to N800, depending on the location.

Petrol attendants and black market operators also capitalized on the crisis, making quick money from desperate motorists. In one instance, a reporter driving from Akoka to Oshodi found only one Mobil station at Vono Bus Stop in Mushin open for business. Queues were observed at TotalEnergies and Tecno Oil stations in Festac Town, while the NNPC Limited station on Ago Palace Way had long lines of waiting vehicles.

In Ikoyi, a motorist named Richard reported paying N1,500 to an attendant to buy petrol using a keg due to an emergency. Meanwhile, in the FCT, prices ranged from N720 to N820 per litre at independent stations, N690 at major marketers' stations, and N617 at NNPC Limited outlets, which had extensive queues. Black market prices soared to between N1,100 and N1,300 per litre.

As the scarcity continued, the NNPC Limited issued a statement warning against hoarding and promising improved supplies soon. Chief Corporate Communications Officer Olufemi Soneye attributed the scarcity to thunderstorms and floods, which disrupted ship-to-ship (STS) transfers, truck load-outs, and transportation of petrol to retail outlets.

Soneye assured that loading had resumed in areas where weather conditions had improved, emphasizing the need for caution during rainstorms and lightning due to the inflammability of petroleum products. The statement also noted that flooding of truck routes, especially in coastal corridors, compounded the issue.

Clement Isong, Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), echoed the NNPC's explanation, citing the disruption of supply chains by heavy rains and flooding. He assured that the queues would soon disappear as petrol supply remained adequate.