Fuel lines: FG steps in as oil marketers reduce their operations

On Monday, the federal government committed to addressing the issues raised by oil distributors and transporters in order to maintain seamless operations in spite of the high cost, particularly with regard to the upkeep of the vehicles utilized in the distribution of petroleum products.

During a meeting with a few of the downstream oil stakeholders in Abuja, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Oil, disclosed this information.

Members of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) are among the stakeholders.

According to furucinovel, the conference was held in response to the lines of people who were returning to different gas stations around the nation.

Following NARTO’s warning to halt the lifting of petroleum products nationally and to remove tools starting on Monday due to the high cost of operations and vehicle maintenance, the lines formed.

The high cost of diesel—more than N1, 300 per litre—needed to power their trucks for the distribution and transportation of petroleum products across the country has been a source of grievance for NARTO and the oil marketers.

As of Monday evening, several petrol stations in Abuja were not distributing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as fuel. The few marketers who were, however, had long lines and charged between N617 and N675 per litre.

Long lines were observed at the retail locations of NNPC Ltd., which presently charges N617 per litre. Additionally, black marketers were observed on the roadways.

However, the minister claimed that the truckers had shown their patriotism and promised to remain engaged in order to find long-term answers to their problems.

“Due to the situation we found ourselves in, Nigerians are already suffering through a lot.

“As a government, we must step in to address the essentially commercial issues they brought up in order to prevent suffering among Nigerians. There will be a resolution at the conclusion of the project, he promised.