Fuel scarcity has resurfaced in Lagos, causing gridlock and long queues at filling stations across the state.
The scarcity has led to an increase in the cost of fuel, with a litre selling for between N800-N1,000 in some filling stations.
This has resulted in an increase in the cost of transportation, causing hardship for commuters.
Some filling stations have closed, while black marketers have taken advantage of the situation to sell fuel at exorbitant prices.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has threatened to withdraw the licenses of filling stations hoarding fuel.
The agency warned filling stations to desist from servicing illegal peddlers, failure to do so would result in the suspension of retail licenses.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has deployed officers to monitor traffic around filling stations. The agency warned motorists against obstructing the flow of traffic, saying “We want our roads to be free-flowing; fuel queues should not become a burden for other road users in Lagos.”
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has blamed the scarcity on a hitch in the discharge operations of vessels and flooding of truck routes.
The company assured Nigerians that it is working to resolve the situation.
