Motorists in Lagos and Ogun continue to face a nightmarish scenario at the pump, enduring long queues and shuttered filling stations despite reassurances from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) that logistical bottlenecks have been cleared. The weekend offered little respite, with many stations closed and long queues snaking through those fortunate enough to be operational.
Adding fuel to the fire, industry sources revealed a controversial directive by NNPC prioritizing fuel truck deliveries to Abuja before fulfilling the needs of other regions. This policy shift has resulted in a significant decline in fuel deliveries to Lagos and other southwestern states. Officials attributed the rationing to limited fuel supplies, with depots receiving only half their usual allocations (5,000 metric tonnes compared to the typical 10,000). This disparity has left many questioning the rationale behind prioritizing the federal capital over the economic hub of the nation, especially considering the widespread hardship caused in the southwest.
NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye vehemently denied these allegations, labelling the information “completely false.” He emphasized the importance of delivering fuel to all states and assured the public of an imminent improvement in the situation. However, the continued presence of long queues and exorbitant prices at gas stations in the southwest cast doubt on NNPC’s claims.
Despite NNPC’s reassurances, Ogun residents continue to grapple with a severe fuel shortage. Sunday witnessed numerous closed filling stations, and those dispensing fuel charged exorbitant prices, ranging from N670 to N700 per litre (official price: N580). This price gouging by station owners further exacerbates the economic hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians. Black marketers seized the opportunity to exploit the situation, selling fuel between N700 and N900 per litre, preying on the desperation of motorists. The situation was even more dire in border communities, where the existing 20km ban on fuel supply, coupled with the general scarcity, inflated prices to a staggering N1,200 per litre. This price disparity between the official rate, the exorbitant station prices, and the black market exposes the vulnerability of Nigerians to exploitation during times of scarcity.
Motorists expressed outrage at the lack of regulation and the arbitrary pricing implemented by filling station owners. A taxi driver, Idris Ajenifuja, recounted purchasing fuel for N800 per litre and lamented the government’s inaction in preventing such exploitation. Another driver, Wale Iyanda, reported prices as high as N850 per litre in Abeokuta. The rising cost of fuel has a ripple effect throughout the economy, as transportation costs increase, impacting the prices of goods and services. This creates a vicious cycle of inflation, squeezing household budgets and eroding purchasing power.
Citizens are demanding transparency from the government and a swift resolution to the fuel scarcity crisis. The exorbitant fuel prices significantly impact household budgets and exacerbate the existing economic hardship. The lack of clear communication from NNPC regarding the cause of the scarcity and the measures being taken to address it only heightens public frustration. Citizens are yearning for a return to normalcy, where affordable fuel is readily available without the need to endure long queues or resort to the black market.
While NNPC maintains that the situation will improve soon, the conflicting reports and continued fuel shortages in the southwest leave motorists facing an uncertain future regarding access to affordable fuel. The finger-pointing between NNPC and industry officials regarding the cause of the scarcity and the prioritization of fuel deliveries does little to alleviate the plight of ordinary Nigerians. Until a transparent and verifiable solution is implemented, Nigerians in the southwest may be forced to endure extended periods at the pump, facing limited supplies and exorbitant prices.
