Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, experienced fuel queues on Friday, with petroleum marketers attributing the shortage to heavy rains and thunderstorms affecting supply chains.
There were long lines at filling stations in areas such as Jabi, Lugbe, and Kubwa. Motorists were seen queuing up as they struggled to refuel their vehicles.
“There has been no fuel since Thursday. Most filling stations I tried in Gwarinpa and along the Kubwa Expressway are under lock.
“They are selling in Jabi here but you can see the queue. The government should resolve this issue quickly,” a motorist, Ibrahim Bako, told Sahara Reporters.
The Major Energy Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association (IPMAN) have cited supply chain disruptions as the primary cause of the shortage.
IPMAN President Alhaji Abubakar Migandi reported that he had received numerous reports of fuel scarcity in Abuja but had not yet been fully briefed on the underlying causes.
On his part, Clement Isong, Executive Secretary of MEMAN, attributed the scarcity to the recent heavy rainfall, particularly in Lagos, which has hindered the movement of fuel trucks.
“The supply chain is slower when there is a thunderstorm. A 24-hour supply chain disruption means that the stations are dry.
“During the rainy season, the trucks drive more slowly, they also get stuck when the roads are flooded,” Isong explained.
Despite the challenges, Isong assured the public that the situation would improve soon.
“There is product in Lagos, the product is coming and the product is moving,” he said, promising that the queues would dissipate in a few days.
