Petrol scarcity: Major oil marketers to lift 300m litres of PMS this week

The Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) says its members have commenced loading of over 300 million litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) this week amid scarcity.

MEMAN disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

“Our members in Apapa and other locations in Lagos are taking product from 8 vessels this week with over 300 million litres of PMS, well above our normal levels,” MEMAN said.

“We are actively coordinating with our member companies through swaps and other supply arrangements to ensure member stations remain stocked. 

“Our depots will extend their loading times to ensure we load out as much as we can including tomorrow the 1st of May 2024.”

MEMAN said its partners in the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD) have “assured us of their support in ensuring the product gets to the retail outlets safely and quickly”.

“We also will extend the opening times of selected retail outlets to ensure we can service our customers as long and as safely possible. Independent marketers (depots & stations) are being allocated additional PMS to alleviate the situation,” MEMAN said.

The association empathised with Nigerians facing difficulties due to the current petrol scarcity and the resulting queues at many retail outlets.

“We can see the frustration and difficulties this situation is creating,” the association said.

“The Downstream Regulator, NMDPRA and other key stakeholders across the supply chain are fully engaged and supportive to eliminate the queues as swiftly as possible. 

“Our top priority is to restore stability and ensure that fuel supplies reach all depots and retail outlets across Nigeria promptly. We expect the situation to improve in the coming days as supply chains adjust and stabilize.”

MEMAN said it remains dedicated to updating Nigerians on the situation.

Queues resurfaced in filling stations amid petrol scarcity, leading to an increase in transport costs.

On April 25, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited attributed the situation to logistics issues, assuring Nigerians that “they have been resolved”.

Also, on April 30, NNPC said the ongoing shortfall in the supply of petroleum products will end by May 1.