Fuel shortages in Nigeria

Nigeria can see no end to the shortage of fuel despite the country being oil-rich.  A solution is far off if refineries slow and gasoline lines form.

According to the Group MD of the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC), the recent termination of operations in some of the country’s refineries are said to be responsible for the long term problem.

A nationwide strike recently meant that refining of Nigeria’s locally produced and imported oil slowed down despite the strike only lasting 4 days.  Attacks by militant groups and continued protests meant that the refining industry was already suffering. 

It was reported this week by The Daily Champion newspaper that 4 major refineries functioning in the delta, capable of processing 445,000 barrels of crude oil per day, are at 15% of capacity currently.