Fuel scarcity hits Lagos

…Long queues caused by road construction – NNPC

By Etuka Sunday

Fuel scarcity yesterday hit Lagos state as motorists were sighted in long queues engaging in panic buying.

However, the report was quickly dismissed by the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its downstream subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC).

In a statement by its Group General Manager,  Group Public Affairs Division, Ohi Alegbe, NNPC said, its downstream subsidiary, PPMC has over 32 days sufficiency of PMS, adding that  17 additional PMS laden vessels had arrive Lagos port.

“PPMC has over 32 days ample stock of petroleum products available for supply across the nation during the yuletide and beyond,” the NNPC said.

The Corporation noted that the market is robust with premium motor spirit also known as petrol and enjoined motorists in Lagos and its environs not to engage in panic buying.

The NNPC stated that the noticeable queues in some filling stations in Lagos are attributable to panic buying caused by reduced truck- out of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from Oil Marketing Companies’ Depots in Apapa area of Lagos due to the gridlock created by the ongoing road construction in Apapa.

The Corporation urged marketers affected by the Apapa road construction to load their petroleum products from its inland depot in Mosimi so as to support the “zero-tolerance to fuel queues” policy across the country. It appealed to marketers to immediately commence loading from the PPMC Mosimi Depot, to cover for the shortfall from Apapa.

The Corporation also advised marketers to desist from hoarding or diversion of petroleum products, as it said any marketer caught in the nefarious act would be sanctioned.

The NNPC called on the general public to avoid panic buying of petroleum products as adequate measures have been put in place to wet the nation with PMS in order to ensure hitch-free transportation of goods and services during the yuletide period and beyond.