Fuel shortages have impacted various states in Nigeria, leading to widespread closure of filling stations and long queues at those still operational. This scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, has disrupted transportation across several states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, Niger, Gombe, Sokoto, and Anambra.
As a result, commuters are finding it difficult to find transportation, and those with access to petrol are significantly increasing their fares.
In response to the reduced availability of PMS, transport fares have surged dramatically in the affected regions. The shortage has primarily been linked to a decrease in petrol supply to the nation’s capital and its neighboring states, prompting urgent discussions between oil marketers and the management of the retail subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to find a solution.
The situation has led to severe traffic congestion around the few filling stations that are still selling petrol. In places like Zuba, Niger State, and Nyanya, Nasarawa State, several NNPC outlets and other filling stations have had to shut down due to the petrol shortfall. This has exacerbated the situation, leading to even longer queues at the few stations that remain open.
Oil marketers have acknowledged the supply issue and are currently investigating the cause. They remain hopeful that the upcoming meeting with NNPC officials will address and potentially resolve the problem.
The National Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chief John Kekeocha, highlighted the severity of the situation in Abuja and surrounding states, noting the visible impact of the shortages on local filling stations and the consequent long queues.
In Anambra State, the lack of petrol has left thousands of commuters stranded, unable to find vehicles for travel, which in turn has caused transportation fares to more than double on some routes.
Similarly, residents in Lagos and Ogun states are experiencing difficulties as long queues form at filling stations, with petrol prices showing significant variability.