Nigerian Govt Issues Warning Against Illegal Sale of Fuel as Shortage Looms

The Nigerian government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has issued a stern warning to fuel retailers against the illegal sale of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) amidst ongoing shortages in Abuja, Nasarawa, and Niger states.

This directive was communicated via NMDPRA's official X account, emphasizing that "filling stations are advised to desist from servicing illegal peddlers, failure to do so would result in the suspension of retail licenses."

This warning comes as the Federal Capital Territory and its neighboring states grapple with a deepening fuel crisis.

According to reports, most filling stations remain closed, with only a few, such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited outlets along Kubwa Expressway, dispensing fuel. This limited availability has led to long queues at the operational stations.

The root cause of this scarcity was previously attributed to a disruption in the discharge operations of several vessels, as stated by Olufemi Soneye, spokesperson for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). Despite these explanations, fuel scarcity remains a persistent issue without a permanent solution.

In response to the recurring problem, Billy Gillis-Harry, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association (PETROAN), has called for the establishment of a government "war council" to address the ongoing fuel shortages.

This suggestion underscores the need for a more robust and coordinated approach to tackle the systemic issues within Nigeria's fuel supply chain.

The NMDPRA's recent actions highlight the regulatory efforts to curb illegal activities that exacerbate the scarcity. By targeting black market sales and ensuring compliance among retail outlets, the government aims to stabilize the fuel supply and mitigate the impact on consumers.