Fuel Scarcity Deepens in Abuja, Other Major Cities, Long Queues Persist at Filling Stations

The fuel scarcity crisis in Nigeria has intensified, with long queues stretching even further at filling stations across the country, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and other major cities. The worsening situation has left many motorists frustrated, struggling to find fuel as stations either run dry or sell at skyrocketing prices.

In Abuja, the scarcity has hit hard in areas like Wuye, Central Business District, Wuse, Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Apo, and Lugbe. Many stations in these regions are completely out of stock, while others are selling petrol at exorbitant rates, with prices ranging between N900 and N1,200 per litre. Only a few NNPC retail stations maintain the former price of N617 per litre, but even these outlets are facing significant shortages, resulting in long queues that stretch for hours.

The crisis has also triggered a steep rise in transport fares across the city. For instance, the cost of a trip from Jikwoyi to Wuse has doubled from N500 to N1,000, and fares from Mpape to Berger have increased from N500 to N700.

Frustration is mounting among motorists, many of whom have resorted to buying from black market vendors at inflated prices. Some major stations, including those operated by NNPC and Total, were not dispensing fuel at all on Sunday, exacerbating the problem.

The scarcity, which has also affected Lagos and other major cities, is attributed to a combination of factors. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has cited logistical challenges and adverse weather conditions as key contributors to the disruption. Meanwhile, independent marketers point to high ex-depot prices and outstanding debts owed to them by the government.

The situation remains dire, with no immediate solution in sight. The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, confirmed that the supply chain challenges have not been fully resolved, and even NNPC outlets are struggling to keep up with demand.