The long queues for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, which first hit the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) last weekend, and has now spread to various parts of the country, is as a result of a sudden disruption in the supply chain by natural factors.
This was the explanation provided yesterday by the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN).
The Executive Secretary of the body, Clement Isong, said in a chat with Daily Trust that heavy rainfall across the country, particularly in Lagos, hampered ship-to-ship loading.
Others, he said, included berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, creating a disruption in station supply logistics. Some independent marketers have also corroborated the position of MEMAN on the development.
Daily Trust findings showed that the acute shortage of the product has led to the closure of several filling stations in Abuja and beyond, while those still operating have seen long queues of motorists waiting for hours to purchase it.
Further findings showed that prices have surged, ranging between N800 and N900 per litre in some states, significantly higher than the official pump price.
Many motorists have expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting the challenges they face in accessing fuel for their vehicles.
The unstable supply of fuel has also led to fluctuations in transport fares, with some transporters hiking the fares by around 20 to 30 per cent in some cities.
