A severe fuel shortage has led to a dramatic increase in petrol prices, with independent marketers raising rates by over 21% to N850 per litre, up from N700 per litre in Lagos and its surrounding areas. This surge has caused significant distress among motorists and commuters, resulting in long queues at filling stations and inflated transportation costs.
A recent survey revealed that many major fuel marketers have run out of stock, leaving only a few independent marketers with available fuel, which they are selling at the highest prices seen this year. This situation has forced desperate motorists to turn to illegal street vendors, where prices range from N1,000 to N1,500 per litre in locations such as Maryland, Egbeda, Ikotun, LASU-Iba road, Ikeja, and Agege.
Customers have also reported unscrupulous practices like pump manipulation at some filling stations, with no enforcement visible from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Despite attempts to contact NMDPRA’s Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, there was no response, although it was confirmed that regulatory personnel were still active at the depots.
The fuel crisis has led to a significant hike in transport fares, with commuters bearing the brunt of the increased costs. For instance, the fare for traveling from Mile 12 to Yaba skyrocketed to N1,500 from N1,000 in just one day. A Danfo driver, Mr. Jude Salami, explained his plight, stating, “I bought petrol at N850 per litre from a filling station this morning after several hours on the queue. I bought 20 litres for N17,000, which can hardly take me two trips from Ikotun to Oshodi.”
Further investigations showed that fares from Ikotun to Egbeda have increased from N200 to N500, while traveling to Iyana-Ipaja now costs N700, depending on the bargaining power of commuters. Many people were seen stranded at major bus stops like Oshodi, Mile 12, Mile 2, and Obalende, raising concerns about the situation in the coming days.
Officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Authorities (LASTMA) appeared overwhelmed by the high influx of motorists searching for fuel. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) attributed the fuel shortage to operational hitches in the discharge of several vessels.
Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, stated, “The NNPC Ltd wishes to state that the tightness in fuel supply and distribution witnessed in some parts of Lagos and the FCT is a result of a hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels. The company further states that it is working round the clock with all stakeholders to resolve the situation and restore normalcy in the operations.”
