Resumption of fuel queues in filling stations, a pseudo-reality?

The recent surface of the queues cut across filling stations in Abuja, Lagos and other major cities in the country despite the subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu is surprising as it seems to be a false reality.

The negative impacts of this fuel queues has continued to cause physiological trauma to citizens as drivers take advantage of the situation in tripling transport fares within the cities and interstates without any government arm or agencies checking their excesses.

This is because  the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry is beneficial which was welcomed by citizens. However, the approach to the Subsidy removal without palliatives remains undefeated. It is for this reason that we find the reappearance of fuel queues on our streets very appalling. It is simply unfair to Nigerians to get treated the way this government and previous ones have done to them on issues of petrol supply and pricing. We cannot emphasise enough the fact that an oil producing country should have no business with scarcity of refined petroleum products. It does not speak well of the managers of the sector, and their decisions are hurting all of us.

During the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), the Group CEO, Mr. Mele Kyari whose keynote address dwelt on the theme “Redefining Nigeria’s Energy Landscape for a Sustainable Energy Future.” Kyari emphasised NNPC Ltd’s focus on making energy available and affordable to Nigerians. He highlighted the expansion of gas infrastructure projects such as the Nigeria LNG Train 7 and potential Train 8 projects.; the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project and the the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) project. These initiatives aim to ensure gas availability for the power sector and promote the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel for automobiles. Mr. Kyari reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to delivering necessary infrastructure that generates value for all stakeholders, while addressing issues such as decarbonisation and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) access to combat biomass dependency.

NNPC Ltd’s Executive Vice President (EVP), Upstream, Engr. Adokiye Tombomieye, was next. In his address at a panel themed “Defining the Roadmap for the Future of Nigeria’s Upstream Sector,” Tombomieye highlighted the company’s efforts in propelling the upstream industry for value realisation and energy transition. He stressed the importance of securing critical oil and gas infrastructure, collaboration with investors, and the adoption of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage. Tombomieye also underscored the opportunities for potential development, including the Bonga North Tranche and Bonga South-West/Aparo projects, as well as the Agbami Gas Project. He emphasized the need for partnerships, innovation and technology in driving the projects forward.

Though, the NNPC Ltd has tried to explain away the reasons for the resurgent queues. The company is heaping all the blame for the scarcity on oil marketers who are being accused of hoarding petroleum products.

The NNPC Ltd also claims that there is availability of fuel in the country. But rather cleverly, the NNPC Ltd has refused to tell Nigerians that it is the sole importer of fuel in a supposedly deregulated sector. Rather than point fingers, therefore, NNPC Ltd should own up to the breakdown in product supply.

From daily hikes in costs of staple foods, transportation, school fees, house rent and other inescapable expenses Nigerians are groaning under harsh economic conditions arising from recent reform measures whose implementation seemed not to have been well thought-out.

Pertinently, for those with medical issues and limited means, it has become a stark choice between taking care of basic expenses and attending to their health needs, between a decent meal and worsening health. The fact that subsidies are still being paid while fuel is now also no longer readily available raises pertinent questions that demand urgent answers from the Tinubu administration. This is considering the fact some groups and individuals are already calling on Mr. President to reverse the Subsidy removal.

The government in collaboration with the stakeholders in the energy sector should ensure that these artificial queues in the filling stations disappear unconditionally before it adds more hardship to Nigerians.