FRESH scarcity of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) resurfaced in the Federal Capital Territory at the weekend because the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) stopped transporting the product for fear of presidential election violence.
The presidential election was held throughout the country on the 25th February, 2023 but the result was only announced on March 1st 2023.
Between then and on Friday, 3rd March 2023, there was no bridging of petrol to the northern part of the country including the FCT.
Speaking with the MOMAN Executive Secretary, Mr. Clement Isong on phone at the weekend, he told The Nation that the scarcity was not connected with pricing but logistics.
He noted that the fuel was available in the depots in Lagos, stressing that since they started loading on Friday, it would take four days to arrive their destinations in the FCT and northern market.
“During the election, very many of the trucks were parked. They were afraid of potential violence. So many of the bridging trucks that come from the north didn’t go back to the north. They were just there. They were not moving around. People were just afraid to move.
“There is product. Tanks are full. There is fuel in Lagos. Tanks in the depots are full; it is just that yesterday they showed up.
“They took off this weekend. By Monday or Tuesday they should arrive in Abuja. Normally it is four to five days.”
Dismissing speculations that the scarcity was due to pricing, Isong said
“No, it has nothing to do with pricing. It is just logistics. People were afraid of election violence.”
Similarly, IPMAN, National Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi confirmed that the marketers were afraid of crisis during the presidential election.
“Now that it is over, we have directed our members to start loading. By next week there will be products in FCT,” he said.