The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has attributed the persistent fuel scarcity in the country to panic buying and sharp practices by some petroleum marketers, sparking debates over the real causes of the crisis.
Despite assurances from the NNPC that fuel queues would dissipate by next week, petroleum marketers have contested the corporation’s stance, asserting that inadequate supply is the primary factor behind the ongoing scarcity.
The NNPC, through its spokesperson, Femi Soneye, pointed fingers at both panic buying and unscrupulous practices by marketers seeking to exploit the situation for financial gain. Soneye emphasized that the corporation had an ample supply of fuel, with over 1.5 billion litres available, but some individuals were capitalizing on the situation.
However, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria revealed that significant fuel supplies had been received in Lagos, contradicting the NNPC’s claims. Despite these arrivals, fuel shortages persist across the nation, exacerbating the plight of Nigerians who depend on petrol for daily activities.
Responding to the NNPC’s allegations, the National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Hammed Fashola, refuted accusations of hoarding and profiteering. Fashola emphasized that marketers can only divert available products and denounced any involvement in sharp practices.
Similarly, Chinedu Ukadike, the National Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, dismissed claims of marketer-induced scarcity, asserting that independent marketers operate for profit and do not engage in hoarding due to the high capital investment involved.
As the blame game continues between the NNPC and petroleum marketers, the Nigerian populace grapples with the repercussions of fuel shortages, underscoring the urgency for effective resolution and accountability within the country’s energy sector.
