Fuel Queues Resurface In Abuja As IPMAN Laments Destruction Of Petroleum Facilities

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has warned of a looming petroleum scarcity in the country, following the disruption of operations across the country by hoodlums who had hijacked the #EndSARS protests.

The Vice President, IPMAN, Abubakar Maigeandi, in chat with THE WHISTLER, said that the #EndSARS protest had disrupted the operations of the marketers in the past weeks.

He said mostly affected are those in the Northern part of Nigeria as they depend more on petroleum products from Lagos and Port Harcourt.

He explained that with the protest which led to the imposition of curfew in some states, petroleum tanker drivers were unable to distribute petroleum products hence the fuel scarcity that is already being witnessed in some parts of the country.

He said, “What we are seeing now is that filling stations have exhausted their stocks, and are unable to refill as marketers have not been able to distribute petroleum products due to the protest.

“The protests which led to the destruction of properties have affected the distribution of petroleum products across the country, especially here in the Northern part of Nigeria because we depend on states like Lagos and Port Harcourt for these products.”

Places like the Federal Capital Territory, Surulere in lagos, and other parts of the country have reported cases of fuel scarcity as at Tuesday morning, as some filling station said they had no fuel.

Ada John, a fuel attendant, at Oando filling station, lokogoma Abuja, in a chat with THE WHISTLER confirmed that there had not been supply of petrol in the past days. “We have not received supplies for some days now, so we do not have fuel to sell.”

Maigeandi, speaking further noted that some marketers have had their trucks destroyed by hoodlums, which had also led to other marketers withholding their products.

However, he assured that with the calmness witnessed in the past few days, marketers may commence distribution to various depots and filling stations.

“I think we may start having fuel distributed to the various depot and filling stations, no one should engage in panic buying. This issue will be resolved soon,” he added.

The Chairman of IPMAN in Rivers State, Joseph Obele, also confirmed that about ten petroleum tankers belonging to its members were attacked and destroyed across the country by hoodlums during the protests.

He stated that scarcity of petroleum products could be inevitable if the situation does not improve before filling stations start exhausting their stocks.

Obele said, “About ten of our trucks have been attacked nationwide by protesting youths, although there have not been casualties.”

He explained that supply and distribution of petroleum products have not eally been smooth as 90 per cent of supplies are from Lagos which is currently the most affected states in terms of destruction of properties.