In response to the ongoing fuel scarcity persisting for about two weeks nationwide, petroleum marketers suggested on Sunday that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) extend their emergency fuel supply for an additional two weeks.
The NMDPRA reported that over the weekend, approximately 4,000 trucks loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) departed Lagos depots to supply filling stations across various states.
Following the government’s initiation of a 15-day emergency fuel supply last Monday to ensure widespread circulation of the commodity, vessels continued to dock at the shore to discharge fuel to various depots for distribution to filling stations.
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Ayo Cardoso, the South-West Regional Coordinator of the NMDPRA, in an interview on Sunday cleared that around 300 million litres of petrol were loaded at Lagos depots between Friday and Sunday to alleviate queues at filling stations.
Saving Point Media reports that despite these efforts, many filling stations in Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, Oyo, and other areas remained closed due to insufficient fuel supply, with some selling petrol as high as N1,000 per litre, causing extensive queues.
Marketers emphasized the necessity for the emergency supply to persist for the next two weeks until petrol becomes available nationwide.
Clement Isong, the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, highlighted the need to replenish depleted reservoirs across the supply chain.
During the weekend, numerous vessels discharged millions of litres of PMS, contributing to efforts to alleviate the shortage.
Cardoso confirmed that six PMS vessels berthed on Sunday, with four already discharging 187 million litres, and two more anticipated to discharge approximately 150 million litres.
To address the situation, Cardoso and his team are actively coordinating the distribution of products to ensure equitable access across the nation.
He urged against panic buying and affirmed the agency’s commitment to monitoring compliance.
Additionally, Cardoso released the ex-depot prices of petrol, ranging from N556 to N645 per litre, reflecting the wholesale prices at depots.
Despite some improvements in fuel availability, challenges persist in various regions, with filling stations experiencing closures and long queues.
Nigerians continue to call for urgent action from the government to alleviate the hardship caused by the fuel scarcity.
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