Fuel Queues to Dissipate as Depots Resume Operations

Fuel queues to ease as depots resume loading...

Fuel queues expected to ease as Lagos depots resume loading, despite ongoing hunger protests and supply challenges. Normal operations to be restored soon.

Fuel queues at filling stations are set to ease this week as loading of petrol has restarted at depots in Lagos, paving the way for improved supply and reduced wait times for motorists.

Depot owners shut down operations last Thursday, August 1, due to safety concerns amid the hunger protests, leaving truck owners and drivers fearful of potential attacks while transporting fuel.

On Monday, August 5, oil marketers revealed that the sudden reappearance of fuel queues in many states was a direct result of dealers halting petroleum product supply to protect their assets during the nationwide hunger protests.

About two weeks ago, fuel queues resurfaced in several states, including Abuja, due to issues with vessel discharge operations, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Efforts to resolve the fuel supply issues were hindered by the ongoing protests against hunger and economic hardship, which began on August 1 and disrupted petrol supply once again, leading to the return of queues in some states.

However, according to reliable sources at the depots, some trucks were loaded with petrol on Sunday and Monday to supply fuel across the country. Officials from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and other government agencies were present at the depots to supervise the process.

Additionally, multiple fuel vessels arrived over the weekend, and some depots received supplies, indicating a potential improvement in the fuel supply situation.

“There were activities today in some depots that took fuel during the ongoing protest,” a source said.

Another official said, “NMDPRA and other officials have been on duty since Thursday when the protest started, just that depots are being careful of the security of trucks and drivers on the road.”

According to the official, the subdued protests across the country, particularly in Lagos, have contributed to a significant improvement in fuel loading operations since Sunday.

The source suggested that the queues at filling stations may start to dissipate from Monday, although the relief may be gradual and not as swift as anticipated, indicating a potential easing of the fuel shortage woes.

The official cautioned that petrol prices may remain elevated until next week, when a more substantial increase in supply is expected to bring relief.

Many filling stations in urban areas have remained closed since the hunger protests started, and widespread fear of violence has kept many Nigerians indoors. This has exacerbated the fuel shortage, leading to empty petrol depots and lengthy queues in several states, including Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, Niger, and others.

The shortage has created an opportunity for black marketers, who are capitalizing on the situation by selling petrol at exorbitant prices of up to N1,300 to N1,500 per liter in parts of Lagos and Ogun states, further burdening already struggling consumers.

According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the fuel supply and distribution challenges in parts of Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were caused by issues with the discharge operations of a few vessels.

Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL's Chief Corporate Communications Officer, assured that the company is working tirelessly with all relevant stakeholders to address the issue and restore normal fuel supply operations as soon as possible.