Panic as Fuel Queues Return to Lagos

On Tuesday, motorists and consumers stormed fuel stations in panic buying Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, causing traffic gridlock in many parts of Lagos.

Lagos Island, Ikeja, Ojota, part of Alimosho, Agege, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, LASU-Iba Road, Ikoyi, and other areas were particularly affected.

Motorists were seen queuing at Mobil Fuel Station, Council-Ikotun Road, Alimosho, at 6.30 a.m., where PMS was dispensed via only one nozzle point, with four orders inactive.

Also, at a fuel station on Egbeda road in Lagos, fuel attendants were seen preventing motorists from entering their premises, citing a lack of oil products.

The situation has caused complete chaos and long lines of vehicles at various filling stations.

Long lines of vehicles dotted around fuel stations on Monday as motorists struggled to buy PMS, also known as petrol, which was believed to have been exacerbated by increased demand for the product due to a power outage.

Long lines have caused traffic gridlock at various locations, with men from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, appearing to be overwhelmed by the volume of vehicles.

Though the situation appeared to be under control, it was predicted that if the situation did not improve by Wednesday, it would worsen.

However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited, has allayed concerns about any hiccup in the supply of petroleum products with the assurance of availability, despite reports of the scarcity of the products, particularly gasoline, in some parts of the country.

According to King Adewale Ojomo’s tweet, the current fuel scarcity in some parts of Lagos is due to the importation of bad fuel in circulation, which is capable of damaging vehicle engines.