Poor distribution worsens fuel scarcity

Poor distribution network and the unwillingness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to decentralise its product loading system have aggravated the scarcity of petrol nationwide.

Findings by our correspondent on Sunday showed that out of the over 50 loading points available to the NNPC, it was utilising less than 10.

The corporation is the major importer of petrol following the withdrawal of most marketers from bringing the product as a result of the rising subsidy debt owed them by the Federal Government.

However, loading of petrol at Apapa and other depots in Lagos and Ogun states has not improved as independent marketers have refused to participate because of what they called their neglect by the government in the payment of verified subsidy claims.

Confirming this development on Sunday in a telephone interview with our correspondent, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Lagos Zone, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, said the NNPC and the Federal Government should be blamed for the prolonged scarcity of petrol in the country.

He said there had been no improvement in the supply of the product since last week, adding that the level of consumption was rather rising fast as people had resorted to panic purchase and storage of the available stock.

Our correspondent reports that most filling stations across the country have devised strategies to exploit customers following the continued scarcity of petrol.

Fillings stations in Ikeja, Ogba, Berger, Agege, Ikorodu, Ketu, Iyana-Ipaja, Egbeda and Festac in Lagos, monitored by our correspondent over the weekend, were selling the product for between N120 and N150 per litre instead of the official price of N87.

The situation was the same in Ogun State communities like Ajuwon, Alagbole, Akute and Ota.

Korodo alleged that the NNPC had fuel in stock but had refused to decentralise its loading points to accommodate more marketers with storage facilities.

According to him, the corporation is currently making use of less than 10 loading points, including Nipco, Folawiyo and Capital, among others, to supply petrol to the entire country.

A spokesperson for an independent marketer, who spoke to our correspondent in confidence, also confirmed that the loading points currently in use were not enough considering the fact that the scarcity had persisted for some weeks.

According to the source, if the NNPC decides to decentralise its loading points and include more depot owners, the situation will improve.

The Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Olawore, however, did not respond to calls made by our correspondent to his mobile telephone line and did not respond to a text message sent to him.