FG Launches 15-day Emergency Petrol Supply To End Scarcity

THE federal government has launched a 15-day emergency petroleum supply to assure widespread distribution of the commodity across the country.

The government's move comes as fuel scarcity worsens in several parts of the country.

The Federal Government also announced that vessels importing Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) will continue to dock at the beach to unload gasoline into several depots, easing distribution to different filling stations across the country.

According to a statement issued by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) on Tuesday, April 30, its members in Apapa and other areas in Lagos State received 300 million liters of fuel from eight boats this week.

Ayo Cardoso, the South-West Regional Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, confirmed that, in addition to the 240 million litres offloaded at various depots on Monday, April 29, approximately 85 million litres of petrol had been unloaded as of Tuesday evening.

However, on Wednesday, May 1, it was seen that lineups at fueling stations had not yet decreased, despite Nigerians' celebration of May Day.

On Wednesday afternoon, roads in Ogun, Lagos, and other locations appeared empty as motorists lined at filling stations to get fuel. Some people stated that they had parked their cars as they waited for gasoline to become available.

Furthermore, the few filling stations where petrol was available allegedly offered the item at unduly exorbitant prices.

However, Ayo Cardoso of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, or NMPDRA, stated that petrol would soon be freely available throughout the country. He emphasized that the government was working together to ensure widespread distribution of petrol.

Cardoso announced that more warships would continue to arrive in Nigeria for two weeks, beginning last Monday. This, he stated, would entail the continual flow of gasoline to gas stations.

According to him, each state in the federation has its own allocation, which will be provided to alleviate lineups at filling stations.

“As I said earlier, there would be enough fuel across Nigeria soon. We have received over 300 million litres as of Tuesday. More have arrived as we speak, but I can't give you the figure. Vessels will keep arriving in Nigeria for 15 days, which started counting on Monday, and we will keep distributing the product across the nation.

“The masses should not panic; all these will soon vanish. We are not prioritising anywhere, each state has its allocation to be delivered accordingly,” Cardoso stated.