Fuel Scarcity Hits Abuja As NNPC Assures Of Over 32 Days Stock Of Petroleum Product

Long queues were noticeable in most filling stations in the federal capital territory on Monday, just as petrol black marketers returned to business in the city.

The queues and black marketers surfaced on the same day the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) embarked on an industrial action.

The scarcity of petrol caused by the strike is biting in the capital city, as motorists groan in confusion.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has urged Nigerians not to panic, saying it has over 32 days stock of petroleum products available for supply across the nation during the Yuletide season and beyond, it said in a statement by its spokesperson, Mr Ohi Alegbe.

The NNPC also noted that industrial action by Oil Workers’ Union would not dislocate the robust distribution and sale of fuel to members of the public.

Mr Alegbe said the NNPC was in talks with the leadership of the unions who assured them that they would not disrupt the fuel supply and distribution system as the strike was basically aimed at addressing the anti-labour issues by some of the international oil companies.

It said 17 additional petroleum laden vessels were at the Lagos port waiting to discharge to the various depots for onward distribution.