Fuel Scarcity: Federal Government Supply 58 Million Litres To Marketers

Following the recent fuel scarcity, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC have released to major marketers 58 million litres of fuel promised by the federal government. Confirming the development, Mr. Taofeek Lawal, Head Corporate Affairs of NIPCO Plc said that they have started dispensing the product

“We are part of the 58 million litres allocation. I don’t have the actual volume received by NIPCO, but we were given together with Aiteo. In fact, we have started dispensing. We are even doing a marathon night loading to make sure we reach all our customers. We are always ready to serve them,” he said.

However, most filling stations are yet to resume sales, while few are besieged by motorists who formed long queues to get the product. Conoil, MRS, Total, Acorn and Oando stations at Alapere area of Lagos were closed, while Oando and Conoil station at Marina, Lagos, were open with long queues of buyers, which resulted in the traffic snarl that engulfed the area. At Mobil and Forte stations on Moloney Street, Lagos Island, there was also traffic jam, as motorists struggled to get fuel.

Motorists claimed that they bought a litre of petrol at N100, as against the approved pump price of N87.The situation has created an opportunity for “black market” to thrive as fuel hawkers make brisk business.