Hunger Protests: Marketers Stop Fuel Supply, Queues Resurface

Oil marketers have explained that the reappearance of queues at filling stations in many states is due to a halt in the supply of petroleum products by dealers, aiming to protect their assets amidst ongoing nationwide hunger protests. About two weeks ago, states across Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, experienced varying degrees of queues at filling stations. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited attributed this to a 'hitch in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.' Although the company and stakeholders worked to address this issue, the commencement of a nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship on August 1, 2024, disrupted petrol supply again, causing queues to reappear in some states. Chief Chinedu Ukadike, the National Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), told our correspondent that marketers were advised to close their stations during the protests to avoid asset losses. He also noted that many tankers did not load products during the first and second days of the protests, which disrupted the supply chain and caused shortages in states that would have received the products.

"Although the National President of IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, urged independent marketers to continue their businesses as usual and asked security agencies to protect our facilities, we were advised by security agencies to stop selling products to manage the situation during the protests and prevent vandalism of marketers’ properties," Ukadike explained. He added that the disruption in the movement of trucks, the inactivity at depots, and the reluctance of truck drivers to drive due to the protests had all contributed to the fuel scarcity at filling stations. On Friday, The PUNCH reported that the hunger protests had halted petrol loading at the Lagos depots, prolonging fuel scarcity. Sources revealed that depot owners were hesitant to open for business due to concerns over potential violence. An anonymous operator confirmed that while members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers were ready to assist in loading fuel, depot owners refused to take the risk.

“There were no activities at the Lagos depots on Thursday and Friday for two obvious reasons. One, we are still battling the paucity of the product; and two, the security concern on the roads after loading due to the hardship protest," the source stated. However, Ukadike mentioned on Sunday that some trucks had started skeletal operations and expressed hope that the fuel supply situation would improve if the protests subsided. He cautioned that the fuel scarcity would not disappear immediately but would gradually improve as independent marketers resumed business. Ukadike also called on protesters to cease their demonstrations, noting that the President had acknowledged their demands and urged for patience to address them. He emphasized that resolution could only be achieved if protests stopped. Scarcity in States: Many states, including Lagos, Abuja, Katsina, and Delta, experienced varying levels of fuel scarcity on Sunday."