Fuel Scarcity Returns, May Get Worse

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There is a gradual return of fuel crisis in the country, as long queues are beginning to appear at filling stations in some major cities across the country.

Despite assurances by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that all will be well soon, operators are skeptical that the fuel scarcity may hit harder, Premium Times reports.

Report has it that the stock of petroleum products at NNPC facilities across the country was grossly insufficient, with supply from local refineries incapable of supporting imports.

One of the marketers, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak on the issue, said feelers from the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), were that the stock of products at the depots was terribly low.

He noted that the NNPC depots at Mosimi and Ejigbo in Lagos as well as in Ibadan were currently facing acute shortage of products.

According to Olufemi Adewole, the executive secretary, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA), all its members who own most of the products storage facilities across the country were fast running out of stock of products.

President Muhammadu Buhari was said to have given approval a fortnight ago for the payment of about N413 billion as part of the subsidy arrears to marketers‎.

However, Adewole said that they were yet to receive the payment, adding that the money would help them do better.

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), which is responsible for approving such payments, said in the wake of the reports that it was yet to get details of the approval by the president.

The federal government has been accused of being the reason why the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has not been possible.

The NNPC had on Friday, November 13, announced a number of measures to ensure adequate supply of petroleum products to consumers.

One of such measures was that most of the mega stations in the country will begin to operate the 24 hours model.

Source: Naij