As the fuel crisis in Nigeria worsens, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has temporarily suspended new petrol orders by closing its online application portal for marketers.
This decision stems from a growing backlog of unfulfilled orders, leaving independent petroleum marketers unable to place fresh requests for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The NNPC portal, typically used for both fuel orders and payments, has become inaccessible, further complicating an already difficult situation for marketers.
Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) members have reported significant delays in receiving fuel, despite having made payments months in advance.
Some marketers claim they’ve been waiting for up to three months without any deliveries, a situation exacerbated by the recent surge in petrol prices.
Many marketers, frustrated with the prolonged delays, have been forced to purchase fuel from private depots at inflated prices.
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This has further strained businesses and consumers, as transportation costs continue to rise across the country. With over 70% of Nigeria’s petrol distribution network controlled by IPMAN-affiliated stations, the supply disruptions have had a widespread impact.
NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye confirmed the closure of the portal, stating that it was necessary to prevent marketers’ funds from being held up while the backlog is addressed.
“We are currently addressing a significant backlog of orders. The closure is a necessary step to ensure marketers’ capital is not held up unnecessarily,” he explained, adding that the portal will reopen once the backlog is cleared.
While NNPC has not disclosed the exact value of the backlog, the delays have sparked criticism from IPMAN officials. Hammed Fashola, IPMAN’s National Vice President, previously voiced concerns over NNPC’s handling of marketers’ payments, claiming that many are forced to wait months for their supplies after making payments.
Fuel prices remain steep, with NNPC and major marketers selling petrol for between N855 and N900 per litre, while independent stations are charging up to N1,000 per litre in some areas.
Despite a slight reduction in fuel queues, the crisis continues to burden Nigerians, particularly with rising transportation costs across the country.
As NNPCL works to resolve the backlog and reopen its portal, stakeholders and the public remain hopeful for a resolution to the ongoing fuel scarcity and price inflation.
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