Wings Travel Management has issued a warning for all travellers to Nigeria, following the country’s current fuel shortage crisis.
The TMC, which specialises in the oil and gas sector, said despite reports of a deal being struck between fuel producers and the Nigerian government it could take some time for supplies to return to normal which will impact many business travel arrangements.
Earlier this week, the FT reported that fuel shortages were so severe that Nigeria’s airlines had to scale back operations, brining businesses to a standstill.
The fuel shortage has arisen because fuel marketers say they are owed $1 billion by the outgoing administration of Goodluck Jonathan. This had led to suppliers stopping deliveries to the country’s fuel depots. The situation was made worse this week by striking oil tanker workers.
Wings director of strategic client management Sonja Hamman is advising clients to delay all non-essential travel, if at all possible.
“Domestic carriers, Arik and Aero Contractors, have been the most affected by the fuel shortage, with both cancelling a large number of flights,” said Hamman. “There has been little to no advance warning of which flights are cancelled, resulting in huge inconvenience to travellers.
“In cases where travel to, or within, Nigeria is absolutely essential, travellers must be prepared to accommodate last-minute changes or delays to their travel schedules.
“We are monitoring the situation through our Lagos office, which is collecting on-the-ground intelligence, and we are working closely with our clients as this situation unfolds,” she said.
Wings said while air travel has become inconsistent, road travel is proving even more of a challenge and business travellers who need to commute have to make their arrangement well in advance to ensure that they are “not left stranded”.
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