Long vehicular queues have surfaced in Abuja petrol stations despite assurances by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of enough product stock
The scarcity of petrol in particular persisted on Tuesday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), bringing back sad memories of long queues at retail outlets.
Most vehicle owners went to work by public transport while others patiently lined up for the product.
A civil servant, who simply identified himself as Eugene Bello said: “I will stay in this petrol stations till I am able to get fuel today so that I can go to work tomorrow (Tuesday).”
Although most of the petrol stations that were opened to customers did not hike their pump prices, they were not operating at full capacity.
While some were vending the product with one pump, others concentrated on selling to customers in plastic containers.
On Kubwa expressway, the popular NNPC was vending with two pumps more to bearers of jerry cans than vehicles. There was no change in the pump price, according to its customers.
Meanwhile, vehicles queued into it from entrance and exit gates.
The Oando adjacent it was not opened to customers. On the other hand, the NIPCO opposite the NNPC also operated on skeletal basis.
Black marketers, however returned to their deal for selling on the road sides.
It was learnt that 10 litres of petrol sold N2,500.
The queues also affected most of the service lanes on the expressway resulting in gridlock.
Following the build-up of queues in filling stations, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), on Tuesday, said it has 60 days guaranteed supply of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) aka petrol.
Currently, the Corporation said, it has over two billion litres of fuel in stock, hence the need to stop panic buying.
The Corporation wrote: “There is no need for panic buying, rest assured that the NNPC has over 2bn litres of premium motor spirit in stock to guarantee steady supply and at least 60 -day-product supply sufficiency.”
Its spokesperson, Kennie Obateru, attributed the seeming scarcity to the EndSARS protests, which hindered tankers from moving to States to supply fuel.
On their own, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has assured motorists of availability of petroleum products, advising also against panic buying.
The IPMAN National Public Relations Officer, Suleiman Yakubu, said the long queues in some parts of Abuja are due to fear of attacks by hoodlums.
He dispelled rumours of fuel scarcity saying: “There is no fuel scarcity; just that some fuel station owners are scared of their property being damaged. People should not fear and do panic buying as there is enough fuel on the ground.”