Fuel, Cooking Gas scarcity looms as Lagos tanker drivers halt operations

Petroleum marketers have raised alarms over an impending fuel scarcity in Lagos and other parts of the South-West following the alleged harassment of tanker drivers by Lagos State Government officials.

The crisis has led to the shutdown of several filling stations, with marketers vowing to suspend operations entirely if their demands are not met.

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers has also warned that illegal levies imposed on petroleum trucks by Lagos State agencies could trigger a nationwide shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas.

Tanker Drivers Halt Fuel Loading

The dispute began when Lagos State authorities reportedly raided a tanker park near Dangote Refinery in the Lekki Free Trade Zone at 2 a.m. on Saturday, towing away 30 fuel-laden tankers. These tankers, each loaded with 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), were impounded without prior engagement with stakeholders.

In response, petroleum tanker drivers have halted fuel loading since Saturday, citing fears of further arrests and harassment by Lagos State enforcement agencies. By Monday, loading activities had yet to resume, sparking concerns that fuel shortages would soon hit Lagos and beyond.

Hammed Fashola, National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), condemned the government’s action, stressing that many of the impounded trucks belonged to IPMAN members. He urged the Lagos State Government to engage in dialogue instead of resorting to force.

“This action is already affecting us because most of these trucks belong to our members, and the products inside them are ours. We don’t understand the government’s complaints, but they should have called for discussions instead of taking such drastic action,” Fashola said.

Fashola warned that if truck drivers remain unable to transport fuel, a shortage is inevitable. “Though stations are still selling, once we run out of stock, there will be no supply to replenish them,” he added.

Lagos State Government Responds

The Lagos State Government, in a statement by Bolanle Ogunlola, Deputy Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry of Transport, denied any wrongdoing, insisting that its actions were part of enforcing an e-call-up system for trucks.

According to the statement, enforcement began on January 24, 2025, with 10 trucks initially impounded and later released as a goodwill gesture. However, on February 21, 11 more trucks were seized for non-compliance, leading to confrontations between enforcement officers and tanker drivers.

“The state government warns that these acts of clemency should not be mistaken for weakness. Full enforcement will commence from March 1, 2025, and all violators will face the full wrath of the law,” the statement read.

Cooking Gas Scarcity Looming

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has cautioned that illegal levies imposed on petroleum product trucks by Lagos State agencies could lead to a national shortage of cooking gas.

NALPGAM President Abideen Olatunbosun stated that since February 22, truck drivers have boycotted loading at Dangote Refinery, protesting what they described as extortion by regulatory agencies.

“There is an imminent scarcity of cooking gas looming. The continued harassment of tanker drivers and collection of illegal levies could cripple LPG distribution nationwide,” Olatunbosun warned.

He noted that cooking gas prices had recently dropped due to government interventions and increased domestic supply from Dangote Refinery. However, the ongoing strike action by truck drivers could reverse these gains, leading to a price surge.

South-West IPMAN Threatens Shutdown

The South-West Zone of IPMAN has threatened to shut down fuel distribution across the region if the seized tankers are not released. Some filling stations were already shut on Monday in protest.

IPMAN Western Zone Chairman, Joseph Akanni, affirmed the association’s support for tanker drivers and transport stakeholders. “An injury to one is an injury to all. If the seized trucks are not released, we will halt operations across the South-West,” he declared.

Similarly, Yusuf Othman, National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, criticized Lagos authorities, accusing them of extorting tanker drivers. He questioned why trucks were being impounded before the March 1 deadline for the e-call-up system enforcement.

Way Forward

With fuel distribution at a standstill and cooking gas supply under threat, stakeholders have called for urgent intervention by the Lagos State Government, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and regulatory agencies. If the impasse is not resolved soon, Nigerians may face severe disruptions in fuel and cooking gas availability in the coming days.