Fuel scarcity has persisted across Ogun and Lagos states, as some filling stations visited sell the commodity at N210 and N200 per litre.
Based on our investigations, only a few NNPC filling stations well established retailers like Total, Oando, etc are selling premium motor spirit (PMS) at N179 per litre. Many others have boldly adjusted their pump prices to either N190 per litre or N200 per litre.
Aside from the fact that PMS is now selling at illegal prices, customers (particularly those purchasing in containers) are required to tip fuel pump attendants before they can be served.
Citizens react: As expected, the development has left many Nigerian citizens frustrated. Kola Omopariola, an Architect who spoke to Nairametrics, said:
“I don’t understand why we have found ourselves at this spot again. I had to pay N200/litre for fuel yesterday in Magboro, Ogun State and was forced to bribe the attendant with N200 before he agreed to sell my Jerry cans. Though a friend told me to go to the NNPC station around Sagumu Interchange where they sell at N179/litre I was not sure if the station would still be open, as it was around 7 pm already.”
Car dealer, Wale Daramola, lamented to that most filling stations around Ikorodu, Lagos, now sell between N195 and N200 per litre. He said:
“Few stations that sell cheaper are always flooded with cars. The federal government is confused because this is the fourth time we are experiencing scarcity or irregular pump prices in 2022. We thought scarcity would be a thing of the past now that NNPC is fully deregulated, but fear there are more sufferings ahead.”
Public transport drivers hike prices: Owners of public commercial buses have also taken advantage of the situation to increase their fares, even as commuters were left stranded in various parts of the states, especially around Berger on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
At Magboro, Ogun State, passengers were forced to pay N200 to Berger Bus-stop, compared to the normal fare of N100. In Lagos, Oshodi to Obalende, passengers paid N500, compared to the usual fare of N300 when there was no fuel scarcity.
It is to be noted that, on October 25, 2022, it was by Nairametrics and others reported that the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Western Zone, blamed the increase in fuel pump prices on private tank farms.
Alhaji Dele Tajudeen, the Chairman of IPMAN’s Western Zone, who disclosed this, also noted that NNPC depots lacked PMS. He clarified what he meant:
“The only option for our members is to opt for private depots to keep our business moving. We are totally against the increase because it will affect our profit margins and the masses will suffer. Some private depots that have the product deliberately refused to sell for reasons best known to them.”
He added that marketers should not be blamed for the increase in pump price.
“Selling at N170 per litre is not realistic. Therefore, our members have no other option than to sell between N195 and N200 per litre within Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states, while we will sell between N200 and N210 in Kwara, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti states
“Most of the tank farm owners have justified this increase because of different charges, among which are vessel charges paid in dollars.
“We are equally calling on the management of the NNPC and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to investigate the arbitrary increase in fuel price by the private depot owners.”
