TheCable

Queues for petrol have resurfaced in some parts of Lagos and Abuja after the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) directed petroleum tanker drivers to withdraw their services.

The directive had followed NARTO’s request to oil marketers for freight rates to be reviewed after the deregulation of the downstream sector.

In a letter dated February 15, 2024, addressed to the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the association said oil marketers turned down its request, stating that it can no longer continue with operations due to the state of the economy.

“We are deeply constrained to seek the support and understanding of your Union and members towards the excruciating challenges petroleum trucks owners are facing with the high operational costs in the Industry,” NARTO had said.

“In the light of this directive, we implore all our employees (Petroleum Truck Drivers), who are your members to show maximum cooperation, support and understanding to our collective efforts for continued sustainability of the Petroleum Haulage business and effective service delivery by ensuring adequate and immediate compliance.”

Monitoring compliance with the directive on Monday, TheCable observed petrol queues in some parts of Abuja and Lagos — Nigeria’s economic nerve centres.

In Abuja, a mild queue for petrol was seen at the AP filling station in Garki, close to the old Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarters.

However, at some fuel stations, including Remaco, Danmarna, and Rainoil in Lugbe, there were no queues for the product amid normal business operations.

In Lagos, slight queues were also noticed at some filling stations in areas such as Ikeja, Cele, Ojodu Berger, and Alapere, while others had no activities at the time of filing this report.

Here are some photos of fuel stations in Abuja and Lagos.

Mobil filling station, Agidingbi, Lagos

NNPC – Alausa, Ikeja

Conoil — Alapere, Lagos

No queues at Heyden, Alapere, Lagos.

NNPC, Ojodu Berger

Rainoil, Cele

No fuel at PM gas station in Cele, Lagos

ABUJA

Normal business operation at Rainoil.

No queues at Danmarna.

Regular business operations observed at Remaco.

AP filling station