Petrol scarcity worsens as #EndBadGovernment protests disrupt fuel distribution

Oil marketers have blamed the resurgence of fuel lineups in some states on a suspension in petroleum product delivery by dealers seeking to protect their assets amid ongoing statewide hunger protests.

Several states in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, witnessed varying levels of petrol lineups about two weeks ago. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited blamed the incident to a “hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.”

Despite efforts by the firm and others to settle the issue, a nationwide protest against hunger and economic suffering began on Thursday, August 1, 2024, disrupting fuel delivery and resurfacing lineups in several locations.

Chinedu Ukadike, National Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, stated that marketers were urged to close their stations during the protests to avoid asset loss.

He pointed out that many tankers did not load items during the first two days of the protest, interrupting the supply chain and causing shortages in states where fuel deliveries were scheduled.

Although IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Maigandi, urged independent marketers to conduct their businesses normally and asked security agencies to protect our facilities, it is important to note that when we were about to sell, we were called by security agencies to halt product sales,” Ukadike stated.

“Security services stated that this is due to their need to maintain control over the situation during the demonstration and vandalism of merchants’ properties.

Now that the trucks are no longer traveling as a result of the demonstration, the depots are closed, and the truck drivers are not driving, these issues have affected the supply of petroleum products, notably during the first and second days of the protest. As a result, there would be a scarcity at fueling stations,” Ukadike explained.