The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has warned that the ongoing fuel shortage, specifically of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, is expected to continue for an additional two weeks.
Chinedu Ukadike, the Public Relations Officer for IPMAN, detailed the reasons behind the prolonged fuel scarcity, which has now affected numerous states across Nigeria. In an interview with Vanguard, Ukadike explained the absence of petrol in the country is largely due to supply challenges. He highlighted that many European refineries, which are crucial suppliers of PMS to Nigeria, are currently undergoing maintenance. This turnaround maintenance is temporarily halting the petrol supply chain.
MUST READ; Stop Consuming Alot of this, if you want to live long
"Once the maintenance period is over, we anticipate a return to normalcy. However, restoring the usual 30-day supply sufficiency can take two to three months if there are disruptions," Ukadike remarked.
He further attributed the severe scarcity to delays in the importation process and slow renewals of marketers’ licenses by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). These bottlenecks have exacerbated the situation, leaving many Nigerian states struggling to secure adequate fuel supplies.
As Nigeria grapples with this critical issue, stakeholders and consumers are eagerly awaiting resolution and a steady restoration of petrol supplies.