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Lagos (AFP) – Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, has been facing a fuel shortage at its gas stations for the past week, causing major traffic jams in the country’s main cities.
In front of the gas stations still open in Abuja and Lagos, a bubbling economic capital of 20 million inhabitants, the lines of cars stretch for hundreds of meters.
In question, the importation into the country of a large quantity of gasoline adulterated by four traders, accused the national oil company (NNPC) which has been trying for a week to withdraw this contaminated product from the market.
Last week several motorists and motorcycle drivers had their vehicles damaged by this “fuel”.
Since 4:00 a.m. (03:00 GMT), Shade Adisa has been struggling behind the wheel of her car, stuck in a long queue at the entrance to a gas station in the Lagos Island district.
“I woke up very early to be able to refuel, but given the queue I’m not ready to have any before 8:00 a.m.,” said this lawyer.
Despite all the oil it extracts, Nigeria has to import the majority of its fuel. The four refineries in this country of 220 million inhabitants are not working, or are below capacity.
Faced with the lack of available gasoline, the price of transport has increased in several cities, forcing many inhabitants to cover long distances on foot.
“It’s hard to get to work these days. Before, I used to spend 1,500 naira (regarding 3 euros) a day on transport, but since the start of the shortage, I have spent more than 2,000 naira (4, 20 euros)”, said Gafaru Adebayo.
According to the World Bank, four out of ten Nigerians live below the international poverty line (US$1.90 per day per person).
And in this country which also suffers from a glaring lack of electricity, those who can afford it depend on gasoline or diesel generators to power their homes and businesses for a good part of the day.
“Even at home, I had to double my diesel expenses to run my generator,” complains Mr. Adebayo, a civil servant in Lagos.
Fuel companies said several stations were still trying to return adulterated fuel supplied to them last week, thus being prevented from storing and selling uncontaminated products.
© 2022 AFP
