Marketers of petroleum products have raised urgent concerns over the actions of Lagos State Government officials, warning that the alleged harassment of tanker drivers could result in a fuel scarcity in the coming days.
On Monday, multiple filling stations across the state were forced to shut down as tensions mounted between oil marketers and the Lagos State Government.
The marketers, including members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), have vowed to shut down their operations in the South-West region if the 30 tankers that were arrested by Lagos State officials are not released promptly.
These tankers, carrying a total of 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), were reportedly towed away by government officials on the Dangote refinery road in the Lekki Free Trade Zone around 2 a.m. on Saturday.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Marketers has also raised alarms, warning that the illegal levies imposed by agencies of the Lagos State Government on petroleum product trucks could trigger a nationwide scarcity of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly referred to as cooking gas.
The dispute centers on a recent raid by Lagos State enforcement officers, who allegedly invaded the parking area for tanker drivers and towed away vehicles, causing significant disruptions.
Marketers have criticized the government’s actions, particularly the timing and manner in which the tankers were seized. According to reports, tanker drivers have halted loading fuel in response to the fear of harassment and potential arrests by the Lagos State task force and the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
In an interview with our correspondent on Monday, Hammed Fashola, the National Vice President of IPMAN, discussed the serious impact these actions are having on the oil sector. He stated that most of the affected tankers belong to marketers, and the situation has severely disrupted operations.
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“This is really affecting us because most of these trucks belong to us, even the product belongs to some of the IPMAN members. So, it’s really affecting us and we are not happy with the action of the Lagos State Government. So, if there is anything, there is a need for dialogue,” Fashola explained.
Fashola condemned the Lagos State Government for not engaging in discussions with stakeholders in the midstream and downstream sectors. He detailed how the enforcement officers arrived at the tanker park at 2 a.m. last week, towing away trucks that had already been parked for the night.
He continued, “The task force went there at 2 a.m. to arrest those trucks. And for most of our tankers, we gave them instructions that they should not be travelling at night. So, they all loaded and parked for them to take off, maybe as early as 5 a.m. But the task force went there and towed all the trucks along the Dangote refinery Road. We don’t know what the government’s complaints are. When they call for a meeting, we will know the motive behind the action.”
Marketers and truck drivers have voiced their concerns that the continued stoppage of fuel loading could lead to a significant fuel shortage.
Fashola warned that although filling stations are still operating, they would soon run out of stock unless the situation is resolved. “Of course, there could be fuel scarcity. Though we have not closed down our stations; if we run out of stocks, what do we do?” he said. He emphasized that the government could have addressed the issue in a more reasonable manner, suggesting that they should have worked with stakeholders rather than resorting to the towing of trucks.
Fashola also raised concerns about the safety of the situation. “The cost of a truck now is no less than N150m, regardless of the content. The content is no less than N50m. And the task force went there at midnight and towed them, without minding the safety; without minding that there could be an explosion. It’s very dangerous. But I don’t understand how government officials could behave this way, especially in Lagos,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government responded with a statement through the Ministry of Transport, providing an explanation for the arrests. Bolanle Ogunlola, the Deputy Director of Public Affairs, clarified that 11 trucks were arrested for non-compliance with the e-call-up system.
According to the statement, the government had begun enforcing the system on January 24, 2025, when 10 trucks were initially apprehended but later released as an act of goodwill. However, on February 21, 2025, 11 additional trucks were apprehended, leading to an alleged attack on enforcement officers.
The Lagos State Government explained that the trucks and suspects had been released, but warned that this act of clemency should not be misconstrued as weakness.
Ogunlola stated, “The state government warns that these acts of clemency should not be seen as weakness on the part of the government. Stakeholders on the axis are cautioned that a total enforcement process will commence from March 1, 2025. All violators will be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
The government also reassured that it remains committed to creating a conducive environment for all stakeholders operating along the Lekki-Epe axis, while emphasizing the importance of adherence to the e-call-up system.
“The Lagos State Government remains committed to providing a conducive environment for the success of all stakeholders situated and operating along the Lekki-Epe axis, and, by extension, the state as a whole,” the statement concluded.
As the dispute continues, petroleum marketers have called for urgent dialogue with the Lagos State Government, warning that further escalation could lead to major disruptions in the supply of fuel and cooking gas across the country. With the enforcement of the e-call-up system set to intensify on March 1, 2025, both sides will need to find a resolution to avoid the potential crisis.
