NNPC: Fuel scarcity hits Lagos, Abuja, others in Nigeria

Nigerians have been thrown into confusion as fuel scarcity has hit some parts of Lagos, Abuja and other states across the country.

In the early hours of today, Tuesday February 8, 2022, there were unusual long queues of vehicle at various filling stations on the island and mainland trying to buy the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.

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Some videos uploaded on social media allege that the adultration of PMS is behind the fuel scarcity amid the controversy on the petrol subsidy removal.

Group Petitions Mele Kolo Kyari, Timipre Sylva

A civil society organization identified as Concerned Nigerians has accused Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, and Mele Kolo Kyari, Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), of complicity in the resurgence of fuel queues in filling stations across the country.

The group also claimed that the NNPC is aware of independent petroleum marketers who are artificially scaring the country’s petroleum supply.

It warned that hoarding fuel could throw the country’s economy into disarray as it could lead to inflation.

The petition was signed by the National Coordinator, Deji Adeyanju in Abuja on Tuesday and copied to the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the Group Managing Director of NNPC. 

Adeyanju wondered why regulatory bodies have not been intervening in the situation, especially not deeming it fit to prevail on independent marketers. He lamented long queues across filing stations in the nation’s capital, adding that the marketers always shut down their gates by 6:00pm.

“As you may already know, in recent months, independent marketers of petroleum products have engaged in speculative acts of hoarding petroleum products, particularly PMS, in a bid to criminally increase the prices, cause artificial scarcity and plunge the country into widespread economic chaos.

“For example, filling stations across the nation’s capital are littered with long queues of vehicles seeking to purchase fuel, while the independent marketers ensure that their filling stations are shut for the day by 6pm.

“What is, however, deeply worrisome is that the regulators have not deemed it necessary to call these independent marketers to order but continue to allow them take advantage of Nigerians.

“At a time when Nigerians are going through excruciating pain, an artificial fuel scarcity is the last thing they should worry about,” he stated.

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