FG threatens to revoke fuel marketers’ licences over hoarding as Petrol Scarcity Persist
Petrol queues continued to plague Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and several other states on Friday, as the Federal Government warned that it might revoke the licenses of fuel marketers found hoarding Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Long lines of vehicles were seen at various stations in the Federal Capital Territory, with many stations closed due to fuel shortages. In the Kado area of Abuja Municipal Area Council, stations like AA Rano were charging as much as N849 per litre, while others were shut entirely. This shortage caused significant frustration among drivers, who waited for hours to refuel.
Matthew, a taxi driver at an NNPC station, voiced his frustration, stating, “The fuel scarcity is causing serious difficulties. Instead of enjoying the fruits of my labor, I’m spending money under duress. As a taxi driver, I have to spend one day just getting fuel and another working. This struggle is wearing me down, and it’s disheartening. I urge the government to address this issue urgently.”
In response to the crisis, Ukoha, a representative from the regulatory body, emphasized the need for fuel stations to avoid selling to black market vendors who resell fuel in jerrycans. He warned that non-compliance could result in the suspension of retail licenses.
The regulator also announced a crackdown on illegal fuel sales, urging stations to cease transactions with unauthorized sellers.
Amidst the ongoing shortages, NNPC is reportedly struggling to import sufficient quantities of petrol. Depot owners have raised prices as a result, knowing that demand remains high despite the escalating costs. This situation has led to inflated prices at the pumps.
On July 27, NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye attributed the shortage in Abuja and Lagos to delays in discharging fuel from vessels. He assured that efforts were underway to resolve the issue, but no significant improvement has been noted since.
Earlier in July, Soneye had cited bad weather as a reason for the disruptions, explaining that storms had interfered with ship-to-ship fuel transfers and caused logistical issues at jetties.
A Reuters report had earlier claimed that NNPC owed its suppliers over $6 billion, with some suppliers halting deliveries due to unpaid debts. However, NNPC has denied these allegations.
As of Friday, fuel prices were reported to be around N1000 to N1050 per litre in Abakaliki and other regions. In Katsina, prices have surged to between N900 and N1000 per litre. The situation remains dire in many areas, including Yobe State, where most stations are closed, and Sokoto State, where prices have risen to N1000 per litre.
The fuel crisis continues to strain motorists and consumers, with no immediate relief in sight.
