Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has attributed the ongoing fuel scarcity in Nigeria to distribution challenges.
He stated that the shortages are likely to persist intermittently until decisive actions are taken to repair and maintain pipelines and depots.
Read Also: Why We Sell Fuel Lower Price Than Landing Cost – NNPCL Speaks Amid Reports Of Paying Subsidy
In an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Wednesday evening, Osifo criticized Nigeria for not fully utilizing its existing depots, which he believes is exacerbating the fuel distribution problem.
Read Also: Naira Continues Depreciation In Parallel Market, No Longer N1,600 Per Dollar
“We have about 21 depots in Nigeria across the nooks and crannies of the country. If those depots were working, you wouldn’t have these kinds of logistics challenges,” he said.
The TUC President, who is also affiliated with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), recommended focusing on repairing and revitalizing the neglected depots.
“Even if the queues go away in the next one week, we cannot guarantee that after another one month, it will not return because we are always going to have challenges in the logistics,” he said.
Mr Osifo said the depots could be a strategic buffer to address logistical challenges.
He said Nigeria should either fix the pipelines “so that those coastal areas could feed the hinterland number” or have put in place “strategic reserves across the length and breadth of the country, maybe in the six geopolitical zones.”
