Nine ships laden with petrol, diesel, base oil, butane, Aviation Turbine Kerosene and aviation fuel arrived Lagos ports, waiting to be discharged.

According to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in a document issued on Tuesday, 20 ships carrying petroleum products, food items and other goods were anticipated to be received at Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports from March 22 to April 18, 2016.

NPA noted that the expected ships contained diesel, petrol, Aviation Turbine Kerosene amongst others, adding that 20 others vessels are currently at the ports discharging general cargoes, fuel oil, bulk fertilizer, diesel and petrol, Leadership news reports.

Nigeria has been grappling with the worst economic crisis in years as well as fuel scarcity and the state-oil company recently announced plans to increase the amount of crude oil it switches for vital petrol imports.

A more than 60% decline in oil prices in the global market since 2014 has hit the country’s economy and initiated a currency crisis, making the country witness a lack of funds to pay for the importation of oil products.

Anita Fatunji