The House of Representatives has initiated an investigation to uncover the reasons behind the persistent fuel shortages affecting various regions of Nigeria.
This decision follows an urgent motion put forward by Honourable Billy Osawuru, who called for a thorough examination of the issues contributing to the recurring fuel scarcity.
The scope of the investigation will cover multiple aspects related to the fuel supply chain, including the process of granting import licences for petrol, the quality of imported petroleum products, and the performance of regulatory bodies responsible for overseeing the petroleum sector. The aim is to address why fuel shortages continue to plague the country despite repeated assurances from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and petroleum marketers that the situation would be resolved.
On Monday, Nigeria witnessed a fresh wave of petrol shortages, which prompted a response from the NNPCL. The company attributed the fuel queues and scarcity to a recent thunderstorm that disrupted the transfer of petrol from large ships to smaller vessels. This weather event had a ripple effect on the entire supply chain, including the processes of berthing at jetties, loading trucks, and transporting petrol to filling stations.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, explained, “The fuel queues seen in the FCT and some parts of the country were as a result of disruption of ship-to-ship transfer of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels resulting from a recent thunderstorm.” He further elaborated, “The adverse weather condition has also affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs, and transportation of products to filling stations, causing a disruption in station supply logistics.”
Soneye also highlighted that safety regulations mandated by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency prevent the loading of petrol during rainstorms and lightning due to the high flammability of petroleum products. “Adherence to these regulations is mandatory as any deviation could pose severe danger to the trucks, filling stations, and human lives,” he added.
The ongoing fuel shortage has led to long queues at petrol stations and a surge in petrol prices, with some stations charging as high as ₦900 per litre. Additionally, private depot owners have increased the ex-depot price from ₦630 to ₦720 per litre.
In response to the situation, the NNPCL is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to address the logistical challenges and restore a stable supply of petrol. The company has started loading petrol in areas where the supply issues have eased and is optimistic that the situation will improve soon. The NNPCL has also urged motorists not to engage in panic buying or hoarding of petrol as efforts are underway to ensure a consistent supply.
