Nigerians in Lagos and Abuja have expressed disappointment with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over the latest fuel scarcity being witnessed.
Signs of fuel shortages surfaced a few days ago, with most fuel stations locking up due to a lack of product for sale. By Friday, July 26, it became obvious as long queues of cars appeared at the few filling stations with fuel. People carrying gallons also became a regular sight as they struggled to buy fuel.
The situation worsened on Saturday, with several elongated queues causing traffic on roads, and the price of fuel hitting N1,000 per liter in some parts of Lagos.
Reacting to the development, NNPCL attributed the latest scarcity to difficulties in fuel supply and distribution, adding that it is taking steps to resolve the issues and restore normal fuel availability as soon as possible.
“The NNPC Ltd. wishes to state that the tightness in fuel supply and distribution witnessed in some parts of Lagos and the FCT is as a result of a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.
“The Company further states that it is working around the clock with all stakeholders to resolve the situation and restore normalcy in the operations, said Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPCL, in a statement released on Saturday.
Speaking with The Octopus News on the latest scarcity, Malik Iyanda, a commercial bus driver, noted that the management of the NNPCL was just being inconsiderate.
“It is obvious they want to punish the masses, hence their adamant stance to continue fuel importation. The situation being experienced now would have been avoided if only the government gave Dangote Refinery the needed support.”
“This is the problem with Nigeria; they didn’t want to approve Dangote Refinery, and now there is fuel scarcity. Who doesn’t know that if the government encourages Dangote Refinery, the product would be readily available and cheaper too? They know what they are doing but just want the masses to suffer,” he added.
“Our people are always our problem. Aliko Dangote said there are people deliberately frustrating his refinery for their own interests, and they said it’s a lie. Okay, we have agreed that it’s a lie. Can’t they just let the man do his business so that Nigerians can benefit and this suffering can stop? We are buying at an expensive rate, and we are still struggling and fighting to buy the product. Why is this government like this?” a car owner, who chose to remain anonymous, stated.
Interestingly, the latest fuel scarcity is coming in the wake of the Dangote and NNPCL face-off over regulation and quality claims.
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