By Moses Patience Chat
The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have said that fuel scarcity, which has re-surfaced in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja is due to distribution issues that could not be immediately prevented.
Mr. Clement Isong, MOMAN’s Executive Secretary, while speaking to the media said that the scarcity was not in any way associated with pricing but rather with distribution issues.
He explained that Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which is popularly petrol, was available at depots in Lagos, and that since drivers started loading on Friday, it would take four days to arrive their destinations in the FCT and other northern markets.
In his own words, “during the election, very many of the trucks were parked. They were afraid of potential violence. So many of the bridging trucks that come from the North didn’t go back to the North. They were just there. They were not moving around. People were just afraid to move.
“There is product. Tanks are full. There is fuel in Lagos. Tanks in the depots are full. It is just yesterday (Saturday) they showed up. They took off this weekend. By Monday or Tuesday, they should arrive in Abuja. Normally, it is four to five days.”
Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, who is IPMAN’s National Vice President, also agreed that the marketers were afraid of crisis during the presidential election. He stated that since the election has come and gone without any crisis, the Association has directed its members to start loading the product.
“Now that it is over, we have directed our members to start loading. By next week, there will be products in FCT,” Maigandi assured.