The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has attributed the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country to panic buying and unethical practices by certain petroleum marketers exploiting the situation for profit. In contrast, petroleum marketers argue that insufficient supply is the primary cause of the persistent fuel scarcity.
Despite NNPC’s assurance that fuel queues nationwide would dissipate by next week and the availability of over 1.5 billion liters of petroleum products, disagreements persist between the corporation and marketers.
While NNPC’s spokesperson, Femi Soneye, pointed to the possibility of individuals capitalizing on the scarcity to inflate prices, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria highlighted significant fuel deliveries to depots in Apapa and other Lagos locations. According to Ayo Cardoso, the South-West Regional Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, substantial quantities of petrol have been offloaded and distributed, with more shipments expected in the coming days.
Cardoso reassured the public, affirming that each state has been allocated sufficient fuel to address the shortages at filling stations. He emphasized that the government is diligently working to ensure equitable distribution across the nation, urging citizens not to panic as the situation is being addressed.
Despite these efforts, fuel scarcity has exacerbated living conditions for many Nigerians, leading to deserted roads and increased hoarding of the product. The contentious issue between NNPC and marketers underscores the urgency of resolving the underlying factors contributing to the fuel crisis and restoring stability to the petroleum supply chain.