Nigeria is currently experiencing fuel scarcity, and oil marketers have revealed that this is due to ongoing logistics challenges. Billy Gillis-Harry, the President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association (PETROAN), explained in a recent interview that marketers are supply-constrained, meaning they can only distribute the fuel they have on hand.

This shortage has caused long lines at petrol stations and a rise in fuel prices in some areas. According to Gillis-Harry, the scarcity is not due to a lack of effort from the marketers but rather the difficulty in receiving enough fuel to meet demand. He emphasized that until the logistical issues are resolved, fuel distribution will remain limited.

Gillis-Harry Said,

“I think until we get our supply challenges sorted out efficiently and abundantly, we will not be able to get out of this circle.

I believe you must have heard the NNPC’s communications director who explained that the issues at stake are still logistics-related.

So until they get that resolved, we may just be managing the little they bring, and give to us to distribute among our members.

NNPCL is doing its best to bring in products bit by bit, and we can only supply what we have.”

“The logistics issue is about ship-to-ship transfer. Until the ship gets products, it cannot deliver to any of the depots. And until depots have products, we the retailers cannot also have access to products,”

“We have been speaking with NNPCL. We encourage them to do more, and I can assure you that they are trying their best,”

The Nigerian government and relevant stakeholders are urged to find lasting solutions to prevent future fuel scarcities that disrupt daily activities and affect the economy.