While the national electricity network is out of breath, population and businesses largely depend on gasoline generators to live and work.
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Leaved against his 4×4, the wet forehead, Stephen plague against the heat of noon and the interminable wait to recover the diesel cans that will serve to feed the generator of the company for which he works, in Lagos. Young people in the neighborhood queue in its place in a nearby gas station. “It has become much too expensive to be delivered by truck some days, then I have to move myself, with my jerricans,” explains the driver.
The price of diesel, which is usually 225 nairas the liter (0.50 euro) in Nigeria, has doubled and tripled, until the 800 Nairas on March 18th. A consequence of the Russian invasion in Ukraine who has resulted in crude classes in global markets.
“We have turned off our diesel generator at the beginning of the week, because it cost us really too expensive,” herself Henry, the Solar Kitchen accountant, a clean catan nestled in a small street in the Ikoyi district. It points out the imposing machine, installed right next to the front door: “We have spent urgently on a gasoline generator, less expensive but also less powerful. So we can not feed all our electrical devices, including air conditioners and some fridges. “
Although it is the largest crude oil producer in Africa, Nigeria must import almost all its fuel, because none of its four refineries is operational. A paradoxical situation, which exposes the consumer to market fluctuations. To avoid outbreak of pump prices, the Nigerian government massively subsidizes the essence, the price of which is fixed at 165 Nairas. But, lately, service stations struggle to satisfy the demand.
GABEGIE
In February, a serious fuel shortage caused prices to 1 euro the liter of gas in the parallel market. As often, these are management problems that explain this Gabegie: at the beginning of the month, the National Oil Company – NNPC – announced that 100 million liters of frelate gasoline had been imported by mistake and should be removed from the market. The authorities also referred to a delay of cargo car transporting refined oil because of the war in Ukraine.
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