A growing fuel scarcity threat is looming over Abuja and Northern Nigeria following the collapse of the Mokwa Bridge in Niger State — a critical link in the country’s fuel distribution network.
The bridge, which buckled after severe flooding last Wednesday, connects Lagos, home to the Dangote Refinery and major fuel depots, to northern markets. Its failure has crippled the movement of petroleum products, just as Nigerians prepare for the Eid al-Adha holidays.
“Most of our trucks have had to turn back because the bridge at Mokwa is down,” said a senior official at MRS Oil Nigeria PLC in Abuja, who requested anonymity. “We are trying to avoid panic buying, but the truth is that we foresee scarcity unless the government intervenes quickly.”
Marketers and depot operators say PMS (petrol) and diesel supplies are already being rerouted via Port Harcourt and Warri, leading to longer delivery times and increased transportation costs.
Despite the supply chain stress, MRS says it is holding the pump price steady.
“We are maintaining N895 per litre through the holidays to keep the market calm,” the MRS official said.
At the NNPC Limited, similar concerns were echoed. Officials warned that unless alternative logistics routes are activated soon, the ripple effect on fuel availability will intensify.
Meanwhile, Billy Gillis-Harry, President of PETROAN, attempted to reassure the public:
“Only one or two marketers in Abuja are directly affected. We’re collaborating with other suppliers like 11 PLC and Matrix Energy to ensure steady supply.”
He acknowledged that turnaround times will rise but insisted that the network has the capacity to cushion the impact during Sallah.
However, James Tor, National Secretary of IPMAN, urged urgent federal government action:
“The Mokwa Bridge collapse should be treated as a national emergency. It’s not just about Abuja — this affects the entire northern fuel supply chain.”
As of Thursday, fears of long queues at filling stations are growing, especially with increased travel expected during the festive period. Industry watchers warn that without a swift solution, the northern fuel distribution grid could face severe disruption in the days ahead.
