By – Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. Fuel Crisis: Nigeria Assists Niger Republic with Petrol Despite Diplomatic Tensions
Despite heightened tensions, diplomatic strain, and hostile rhetoric, Niger Republic turned to Nigeria for assistance after being hit by a severe fuel shortage.
The West African country sought help from Nigeria despite months of diplomatic standoffs.
Recently, Niger Republic faced a serious fuel crisis, causing fuel prices to skyrocket.
This situation necessitated the country’s request for intervention from Nigeria, one of Africa’s richest oil-producing nations.
Nigeria Provides 300 Trucks of PMS to Niger Republic
A delegation of senior officials from Niger’s military junta traveled to Abuja to meet with representatives of the Nigerian government.
At the end of the deliberations, Nigeria reportedly approved the delivery of 300 trucks of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to Niger Republic.
A senior Nigerian government official familiar with the development stated that Nigeria approved the deal as a “strategic bargaining tool” in ongoing negotiations with Niger Republic.
According to the official, the Nigerien delegation explained that their country had been dependent on fuel from a Chinese-owned refinery.
However, due to supply chain issues, the refinery was shut down, leaving Niger Republic with limited fuel options.
Fuel Shortage in Niger Republic
Nigeria stepped in after Niger’s fuel shortage crisis worsened. However, the details of the arrangement remain confidential.
*”We do not want to blow our trumpet. Rather, we want to use this as leverage in negotiations as we continue to engage with them to bring them back into ECOWAS.
Let them depend more on us. I am confident that, gradually, they will return to ECOWAS because they lack sufficient resources to import food and sustain their citizens,”* the source added.
Fuel Crisis in Nigeria
Nigeria itself has been facing a fuel crisis, with petrol prices reaching alarming levels.
A litre of petrol recently sold for ₦8,000 ($50 USD) in some parts of the country.
Findings indicated that in Sokoto State, which shares a border with Niger, petrol prices varied depending on the distance from Nigeria.
Abubakar Usman, a transborder businessman from Nigeria, confirmed the severe fuel scarcity in Niger Republic. He noted that fuel prices fluctuated based on location.
*”In Konni, the border town between Nigeria and Niger, a litre of petrol costs 1,200 CFA, equivalent to about ₦2,500 ($150 USD). If you go to Agadez, the same litre of fuel is 3,000 CFA, or about ₦7,500 ($5 USD) per litre.
In Arlit, a town under Agadez, near the border with Algeria, fuel costs 3,500 CFA, which is approximately ₦8,750 ($6 USD) per litre,”* Usman stated.
He attributed the scarcity to the deteriorating relationship between Nigeria and Niger.
An official of the Nigerian Immigration Service, speaking anonymously, confirmed that trucks carrying petrol had been seen crossing the border.
Niger-China Oil Dispute
Niger’s fuel crisis may have been self-inflicted following a confrontation between the ruling junta and Chinese oil firms that have long dominated the country’s petroleum sector.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama explained that the crisis began in March 2024 when the China National Petroleum Corporation granted the Nigerien government a $400 million advance, using future crude oil deliveries as collateral.
The deal was meant to help Niger cope with crippling ECOWAS sanctions imposed after the July 2023 coup.
However, when it was time to repay the debt, the junta found itself cash-strapped.
Instead of negotiating, the military rulers reportedly attempted to strong-arm China by slapping an $80 billion tax demand on Soraz (Zinder Refinery Company), despite Niger’s state-owned Sonidep already owing Soraz $250 billion.
Conclusion
Regardless of the ongoing tensions between Niger Republic’s junta and ECOWAS, Nigeria continues to uphold its “big brother” role in West Africa.
Analysts view the current petrol scarcity in Niger Republic as an opportunity for ECOWAS leadership, under Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to strategically engage Niger Republic and encourage its return to the regional body.
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