Fuel stations in Lagos shut by marketers as panic buying continues

Many filling stations were shut by oil marketers yesterday, as motorists continue panic buying in Lagos and its environs.

This is even as the petrol supply challenges facing the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, eased slightly following the supply of the product to many oil marketers.

Checks conducted yesterday, established that many marketers who did not have the product closed their gates against motorists and other users of the product.

The checks also indicated that those with commercial stocks, including some NNPC Ltd filling stations and major energy marketers were seen selling the product to consumers at between N560 and N700 per litre.

Checks by Vanguard around the Central Area of the nation’s Capital showed that stations operated by Ardova, Conoil and TotalEnergies were attending to motorists.

Long queues and chaotic scenes witnessed at the centre in the past six days eased, as more fuel stations are opened.

Meanwhile, NNPC Ltd stated that: “The adverse weather condition has also affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, disrupting station supply logistics.

“The NNPC Ltd also states that due to the flammability of petroleum products and in compliance with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) regulations, it was impossible to load petrol during rainstorms and lightning.”

The NNPC therefore called on the public not to embark on panic buying as efforts were being made to flood the market with adequate supplies.