The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria has clarified that the current fuel queues at stations across Lagos are due to logistical disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions, rather than a shortage of fuel products. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, the association’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Clement Isong, explained that the heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in recent days have hindered ship-to-ship trans-loading, berthing at jetties, truck load-outs, and transportation of products to filling stations.
Isong emphasized that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency has warned against loading petrol during rainstorms and lightning, citing the flammable nature of petroleum products and the need for strictly controlled and regulated transportation, dispensation, consumption, and storage. He urged Nigerians to avoid panic buying and stockpiling of fuel, as this behavior creates artificial scarcity and poses significant safety hazards.
According to Isong, the delay in loading petroleum products at depots due to storms contributed to the shortfall of stocks in filling stations, but marketers have begun loading and distributing fuel to all stations across the country since the weather cleared. He assured Nigerians that there is no scarcity and warned against stockpiling petrol at home.
The association also noted that illegal smuggling of petroleum products to neighboring countries has increased the country’s consumption to between 58 and 60 million liters per day. To combat this, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) has tightened up the supply chain and inaugurated “Operation Whirlwind” to protect the nation’s economy from the adverse effects of smuggling petroleum products.
Despite assurances from marketers, queues for petrol have resurfaced in parts of Lagos, with fuel stations packed with vehicles waiting to fill their tanks.
The long queues have extended to road networks, causing gridlock in some areas. However, the association has reiterated that there is no cause for alarm and urged Nigerians to avoid panic buying and stockpiling of fuel.
