The ongoing nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship have led to a disruption in the supply of petroleum products, causing fuel scarcity in many states.
According to the National Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, marketers were advised to close their stations during the protest to avoid losing their assets. This, combined with the halt in tanker loading, has caused a distortion in the supply chain, leading to shortages in states where products would have been supplied.
Ukadike stated, “Although the National President of IPMAN urged independent marketers to go out and do their businesses normally, security agencies asked us to step down sales during the protest to control the situation and prevent vandalism of marketers’ properties.”
The IPMAN official expressed hope that the fuel supply situation would improve if the protests abate, saying, “Some trucks have started skeletal operations, and businesses are gradually resuming. The independent marketers will return to business to address the fuel scarcity, but it will clear gradually.”
Ukadike called on protesters to stop the protests, saying, “The President has pleaded with them and has heard their demands. Let us give him time to act by addressing these demands, which can only be done when the protests stop.”
