Fuel scarcity: Major marketers to flood market with 300m litres

The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) says it has concluded plans to take delivery of eight vessels containing over 300 million litres of fuel to address the current fuel shortage in the country.

Chairman of MEMAN, Huub Stokman, disclosed this during a news conference on the current fuel scarcity across the country.

Fuel queues have returned to filling stations since last week as motorists spend hours to buy petrol.

Stockman, while sympathising with Nigerians over the frustration and difficulty they are experiencing, said the priority of the major marketers and other stakeholders in the supply chain is to restore stability and ensure fuel supply.

“Our top priority as MEMAN is to restore stability and ensure fuel supply with all depots and retail outlets across Nigeria promptly. We want to reassure the public that there is an adequate supply of PMS available.

“Our members are taking over 8 vessels this week with over 300 million litres which is well above our normal level. Our depots will extend their loading times to ensure we load out as much as we can including tomorrow.

“Our partners in NARTO and PTDs have assured us of their support to make sure the product gets to the retail outlets quickly and safely.

“We would extend opening time of selected retail outlets to serve our customers as quickly as possible.”

According to him, independent marketers have been allocated additional PMS to alleviate the situation.

He also disclosed that the marketers are not changing prices, saying NNPC retail is not changing their price.

The chairman further blamed the current situation on multiple causes bothering on logistics like bad weather outside the shores.

“However, in the coming days we expect to see major improvement in the fuel situation. Based on the data we see, it would not take two weeks. I truly believe we would see improvement this week,” he stated.