Scarcity as fuel queues surface in Abuja, Ogun, others

Fuel shortages hit Abuja, Ogun, and other regions as filling stations close in anticipation of a nationwide protest.

On Friday, many filling stations in Abuja and neighboring states like Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi halted operations, leading to fuel queues.

Among the closed outlets were those managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and other private retailers such as Salbas Oil, Eterna, and Gegu Oil on the Kubwa-Zuba expressway.

This disruption extended into central Abuja and parts of Niger and Nasarawa states. In Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, filling stations also ceased dispensing fuel.

The situation resulted in long queues at operational outlets like AYM Shafa in Dei-Dei, Abuja, and the NNPC station in Zuba. Additionally, several stations in Lagos shut down on Friday, sparking concerns over potential fuel scarcity.

A tour of various filling stations revealed that most were not dispensing fuel, while the few that did sold at a steep N800 per litre. Oil marketers attributed the closures to both fuel shortages and apprehensions over the impending protest.

Long Queues in Ogun
In Ogun State, the scenario was dire, with motorists facing extended queues. At Quest Filling Station in Magboro, the queue stretched over a hundred meters. Saheed, a commercial bus driver, voiced his frustration after waiting over an hour, unable to pacify his complaining passengers.

Similar scenes played out at NIPCO Filling Station in Magboro, where diesel sold at N1,200 per litre and petrol at N675 per litre. Out of five petrol pumps, only four were functional, causing significant delays.

Minister Appeals for Calm
In light of these events, Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, appealed for calm and urged Nigerians to avoid the proposed protest. He attributed some station closures to fuel shortages but acknowledged that fear of the protest was a significant factor.

Lokpobiri emphasized the government’s commitment to economic revitalization under President Bola Tinubu, urging unity and patience. He warned against those who might exploit the protest for nefarious purposes and stressed the importance of constructive engagement and dialogue.

The minister reassured Nigerians of President Tinubu’s dedication to addressing the nation’s challenges, calling for support and collaboration to ensure a prosperous future for all.