Fuel Subsidy Removal Sparks Nationwide Queues, Price Hike

Fuel Prices Hit N1,100 per Litre in Abuja, Neighboring States

The removal of fuel subsidies has led to a surge in petrol prices, with Abuja and surrounding states experiencing a record high of N1,100 per litre. This has resulted in nationwide queues, causing frustration among motorists.

Fuel subsidy removal sparks nationwide queues and price hike, with petrol selling for N1,100 per litre in Abuja and surrounding states. Marketers warn of worsening situation, while NNPCL attributes queues to thunderstorms. Read more on the fuel crisis and its impact on Nigerians.

As of Monday, July 8, the queues for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) continued to grow in Abuja and surrounding states, with Lagos and other parts of the country soon following suit. Marketers warn that the situation may worsen by the weekend, leading to increased hardship for motorists.

The few available fuel stations have resulted in hours-long queues, with drivers desperate to refuel. Black marketers are taking advantage of the situation, hiking their prices to between N1,000 and N1,100 per liter. In some retail outlets, particularly in Abuja, Nasarawa, and Niger, the pump price has been increased to N900 per liter, further exacerbating the crisis.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, or NNPCL, clarified that the lines were caused by recent thunderstorms that interfered with fuel-loading jetties' operations and caused logistical problems. To address the issue and shorten the lines, the corporation did, however, clarify that it is collaborating with relevant parties.

Billy Gillis-Harry, the President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, responded to this by stating that the NNPCL had given marketers assurances that the problem was being resolved.

He clarified, though, that the lines might not go away in the coming days and that lengthier lines for fuel might occur in areas that are farther from large depots.

“Once they start loading, it takes some days to clear the queues. And don't forget that filling stations in Abuja get products from Lagos, Oghara, Warri, Port Harcourt or Calabar, and that takes more than three days turn-around time to accomplish,” he stated.

Gillis-Harry said, Is the situation being resolved as stated by NNPCL, “Yes it is being addressed and we've had an in-depth review of the matter. They've given us assurance that they are working on it and so we should be able to get products in our retail outlets.

“We could see what their challenges were, but during our conversation, we were able to know that NNPCL is working hard to tackle this situation. So we are certain that in the coming days petroleum products should be available and circulate widely.”

Gillis-Harry, however, said that marketers were unable to verify the NNPCL's allegation that thunderstorms had interfered with product loading at jetties.

The president of PETROAN said, “Rather, as far as we are concerned there is a supply glitch which is now being addressed by NNPCL.”

He stressed that cooperation between the government and NNPCL and downstream oil sector players is necessary to find a long-term solution to fuel scarcity and lines in Nigeria.

On Monday, July 8, Ogun State residents paid between N700 and N750 per litre for gasoline at the majority of independent filling stations.

It was discovered that several gas stations did not provide consumers with gasoline the same day. The NNPCL stations, where gasoline was sold for N580 per liter, were the ones with lines.

Meanwhile, in Sokoto State, the fuel scarcity persisted on Monday, with residents voicing their frustration over the prolonged shortage and the steep price hike, which saw pump prices soar to between N900 and N950 per litre.