The Marketers, however, assured Nigerians that the problem would soon be addressed and that there was no need to panic
By Kehinde Okeowo
Petroleum products marketers have blamed ‘supply disruption’ for the reappearance of fuel queues in Lagos and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This was disclosed on Thursday by the President of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association, (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, while featuring on a programme on Channels TV.
According to him, since we are not producing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the country and only NNPCL imports the product, whenever the sole impoter has a challenge, the supply chain will be affected.
Billis-Harry said: “Undoubtedly, the queues have spiralled in some parts of the country. Simply speaking to the fact that we are having a problem with supply. We need to up our game to get the petroleum products delivered so that stations can be wet and committers can get the product. Simply speaking, there is a supply challenge.
“Only the NNPCL is importing PMS, and we are not producing in the country. So, if NNPCL has some issue, which is possible, this may affect the supply chain.
“I am sure that NNPCL is working round the clock to ensure the products are available. Just a few days ago, two vessels arrived at Portharcourt; they are frantically assuring that loading is effectively carried out, which will assuage the challenges. However, the reality is that we don’t get the product when it is due.”
He, however, assured that the problem would soon be addressed, and there was no need to panic.
“Since we have gotten two fuel cargoes today from Portharcourt, soon Lagos will come, Calabar will come, Oghara will come, and retail outlets will be wet. There is no need to panic”, he added.
Barely three days ago, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, (NARTO), withdrew its service due to economic hardship caused by high operational costs and low freight rates.
However, NARTO suspended its strike action after the Federal Government brokered an agreement between them and the oil marketers.