Longqueues of motorists in search of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly
called petrol, returned to major parts of Lagos yesterday amid claims of
shortage in supply.
Findings by Daily Sun across some fuel
stations in Ogba, Ikeja, New Oko Oba, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Ikoyi and
Lekki-Epe Expressway, revealed that motorists had a hectic day in a bid
to source for the commodity.
At the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) fuel station on Alfred Rewane Road, the chaotic
situation at the retail outlet further compounded traffic
for Lagosians who have just left their various churches, en route their
homes. The situation was also the same on the Lekki-Epe Expressway
corridor as long queues of motorists dotted the major highway.
In Ikeja, the Forte Oil by the domestic
wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, equally had long queues of
motorists as same situation was also witnessed at the Forte Oil opposite
Berger Yard Bus-stop.
On the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, most of
the filling stations along the corridor were not dispensing fuel, an
indication that there was shortage in supply.
Executive Secretary of Depot and
Petroleum Marketers Association (DAPPMA), Mr. Olufemi Adewole, noted
that there was shortage of petrol supply across the country.
Adewole said that what was playing out at
the moment was the preference of NNPC to deploy more supplies to major
marketers. “The truth is that there is short supply at the moment. If
NNPC can increase supply, we will be able to get to inland areas and
focus on major cities but I can tell you there is no much supply at the
moment,’’ he said.
Adewole’s claims were further
corroborated by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division
of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, who said there has been a slight change in
the distribution network inLagos, as Lagos is currently being supplied by members of MOMAN.
“At the weekend, there was a hitch in
discharging of petrol by ships which has been ratified.” He, however,
said NNPC, on Sunday, had released 250 trucks of petrol to Lagos
metropolis for effective dispensing at fuel stations to forestall any
scarcity. Today, 250 trucks have been discharged to Lagos compared to
less than 200 trucks usually allocated to Lagos at the weekend,” he
said.
The NNPC spokesperson said the ships,
which commenced discharging since Saturday night had finished
discharging, adding that in a couple of hours, the long queues will
disappear and normalcy will return to Lagos.
Ughamadu urged motorists to avoid
hoarding petrol and panic buying, as there is sufficient product in
stock that will last for days.
The NNPC image-maker also acknowledged a
slight hitch at the Port Harcourt Refinery due to power problem. “Port
Harcourt Refinery is slightly down for now, pending when the problem
will be rectified,” he said.
A manager in one petroleum marketing
company, who pleaded anonymity told Daily Sun that the company was
consistently loading and supplying to marketers but the volume had
marginally dropped.
“I can confirm we are currently loading
but I don’t have the statistics; however, I must say that we don’t have
enough supply at the moment. I think that explains the resurgence of
queues at filling stations,” he said.