The hunger demonstration, which commenced on Thursday, has halted fuel loading in Lagos ports, exacerbating the already existing fuel scarcity within the nation. Depot owners are not opening for business due to fear of violence. The fuel scarcity that started last weekend across Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, and Niger, among other states, has resulted in an increase in petrol prices, with black market dealers selling a litre at a price as high as N1,300 in some places.
Industry operators said the depots were running dry as of Sunday because vessels could not discharge fuel. Although there were expectations of fuel vessels arriving at ports for discharging petrol, loading activities have been hindered by this protest.
“We are facing a double challenge: scarcity of product and insecurity issues after loading on roads,” said one of the operators while speaking. “NUPENG is willing to aid depots in loading, but it is the security situation that hinders us.”
The National Association of Transport Owners has urged its members to keep lifting fuel regardless of the demonstration. “We are not part of this planned protest, and we will not stop our operations,” said Yusuf Othman, NARTO’s President. “We’ve advised our members to tread cautiously as they go about their jobs, ensuring there is a continuous flow of this essential commodity across the entire nation.”
Scarcities have been exacerbated even more due to the #EndBadGovernance protests, which made it impossible for vehicle loadings to continue, hence worsening the shortage period in gas retail outlets.
