The fuel scarcity that hit the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and the rest of the country last month has persisted, despite repeated assurances by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Federal Government on the availability of the product during the Yuletide.
The scarcity has left hapless motorists at the mercy of fuel hawkers who have resorted to selling a litre of the fuel for N200 in some locations in the federal capital
Although it abated on Christmas Day, it resurfaced again on Thursday, notwithstanding the in-country influx of petroleum products ordered by dealers to cushion the effect of short fall in supply noticed in some major cities before the Christmas holiday.
According to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), 11 ships are waiting to discharge petroleum products at the various oil terminals in Lagos ports, as at Thursday.
In Shipping Position, a daily publication of the NPA made available to newsmen, the authority indicated that six of the 11 ships contain petrol. While three of the ships will discharge aviation fuel, another two will discharge kerosene.
The publication also reported that five other ships are waiting to discharge general cargoes, rice and bulk sugar, and that 87 ships carrying different cargoes would sail into Lagos ports between 27th Dec 2012 and 15th January 2013.
NPA further added that 18 of the 87 ships would arrive with petroleum products.
