Petrol queues lingered in Lagos and Ogun states on Wednesday, as oil merchants anticipated harsher days ahead in terms of product availability.
According to The Punch, several motorists were observed queuing at filling stations across the states, with some oil sector operators predicting that the petrol shortage will not be alleviated anytime soon.
Chairman of Satellite Depot, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Lagos, Akin Akinrinade, stated that the situation was “worsening” in an update.
“Nobody is saying anything to us yet and we are still not loading things here as we speak. In fact, the situation is deteriorating because the lines have not been cleared.
“Even some NNPCL Retail stations do not sell any product. I feel it is a stock issue, and the NMDPRA should be able to tell us what is actually going on, but I know they won’t.”
The National Controller Operations, IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, said there was no need for concern as he noted that although there are still lines, “NNPCL has assured us that there is nothing to worry about. So, for now, let us rely on their word for a few days before deciding what to do,” he said.
The President of IPMAN, Chinedu Okonkwo also stated that everything was under control.
A source at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that there is more than enough stock in the country.
According to him, a total of 200,000 metric tonnes of petroleum, equivalent to around 540 million liters, is now stored at several depots in Lagos.
“The depots are not dry. PMS is discharged by two vessels at Apapa jetty, one at Ijegun, one at Coconut, Ibafo, and one at MRS, Tincan. We’re talking about 200, 000 metric tonnes of PMS, which equates to around 540 million litres in several Lagos shore tanks. So, we’re taking our time to fix the supply gaps, and I can tell you that the lines will go as quickly as they appeared,” he added.
North West had the longest queue, with others such as Eterna N568/litre, NNPCL N568/litre, TotalEnergies N570/litre, and Mobil N570/litre having shorter lines. Conoil, Enyo, and Oando at Berger had no products.
While several TotalEnergies stations were seen dispensing, another on the Berger axis was seen behind lock and key. Others, like Worldoil, Fatgbems, and Quest in Ogun State, closed their doors.
On Tuesday, Akinrinade stated that the depots had not loaded supplies in the previous three weeks.
