Abuja, Nigeria – As the fuel crisis continues to bite hard, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has suspended fresh petrol orders, shutting down its petrol application portal due to a significant backlog yet to be cleared.
Marketers who usually bid for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) through the NNPC portal have been unable to access the platform. Sources confirmed to The Bureau Newspaper that payments are made via the same channel, but marketers have faced months-long delays in receiving the product after making payments.
Independent marketers have voiced concerns, revealing that the NNPC owes them billions of naira for fuel purchases that were not fulfilled for over three months. According to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), NNPC has recently stopped loading fuel for its members, particularly following the recent hike in fuel prices.
IPMAN, which operates over 70% of filling stations nationwide, expressed frustration at the lack of supply despite payments being made two months ago. As a result, many marketers have turned to private depots, which sell petrol at significantly higher rates.
When contacted, the NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the shutdown of the portal, explaining that it was necessary to manage the backlog.
“We have a significant backlog to address. The portal closure is to prevent holding marketers’ capital for an extended period,” Soneye stated. He assured that the portal would reopen once the backlog is reduced.
Despite the backlog, NNPC has not disclosed the exact amount owed to marketers. Earlier in January, IPMAN Vice President, Hammed Fashola, raised similar concerns about the company’s practices, accusing NNPC of holding marketers’ funds for months without supplying products, a claim previously denied by Soneye.
As fuel queues gradually subside, the price of petrol remains out of reach for many Nigerians. NNPC and major marketers sell petrol between N855 and N900 per litre, while independent marketers charge as high as N1,000 per litre, further driving up transportation costs across the country.
The fuel crisis, exacerbated by price hikes and shortages, continues to impact businesses and households nationwide, leaving Nigerians struggling with the high cost of living.