Nigerians groan as fuel scarcity spreads nationwide

The lingering scarcity of petrol which surfaced in Lagos and Abuja over a month ago has spread to many parts of the country with the product selling as high as over N1000 in some parts of the country.

Several petrol stations in many parts of the country have remained shut with claims they do not have the product to dispense. The scarcity has led to disruption of commercial and social activities. Although Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had said the shortages were caused by “distribution” challenges, it did not specify the cause of the current spike, which had lingered in Abuja and environs for over four weeks.

Black market operators are now making brisk business as they selling a ten litre jerrycan of petrol for as high as N12, 000 while the private fuel stations with the commodity are selling between N750 to N1050 depending on their location.