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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Friday, 5 November, 2004, 20:17 GMT E-mail this to a friend Printable version Nigeria fuel shortage hits planes Anna Borzello BBC correspondent, Abuja International and domestic flights in Nigeria have been hit by a shortage of aviation fuel, with planes unable to leave the commercial capital, Lagos. Planes were unable to find fuel on Thursday and the situation has now worsened while it is unclear what lies behind the shortages. Nigeria has a thriving domestic airline industry with many people shuttling regularly between major cities. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic flights have also been disrupted. BA flying from Abuja to London on Friday had to stop in Ghana to pick up enough fuel to finish the journey. Virgin Atlantic, also heading for London, was delayed by several hours. 'No warning' Worst affected, however, are the domestic airlines which provide the backbone of transport for many middle-class Nigerians. Lagos domestic airport, normally a heaving mass of people was, early in the morning, eerily calm, with only a fraction of flights operating. No-one seems to know exactly what has caused the problem. Mohammed Tukor from Chang Changi Airlines told the BBC the fuel shortages began on Thursday. The fuel market has told us they do not have the jet fuel, he said, but they gave us no advanced warning at all. An official from one major independent fuel marketer told the BBC supply was low because of a delayed shipment and added the problem would soon be resolved. However, the situation will do little to convince Nigerians of the wisdom of the government's already controversial economic reform programme which involves partially lifting fuel subsidies and allowing private companies to market fuel. Prices of petroleum products have since sharply risen, prompting a number of general strikes. Nigeria is the largest producer of crude oil in Africa but two-thirds of the population live in poverty. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectFrance attacks Ivorian airbaseDarfur peace talks take new turnMugabe flies to Equatorial GuineaFloods hit Somali leper communityNigeria fuel shortage hits planesMorocco mosque collapse kills 10African crops 'spared by locusts'Somali hopes rest with new PM'Miracle baby' couples fail testSudan defends forced relocationUS presses Annan over sex claimBakassi troops pull-out 'legal'Rally backs Nigeria strike callKenya toasts US senator's victoryIvory Coast jail riot kills fourUganda's rebels seek peace talksTaylor's men 'not behind riots'African bishops loosen Western tiesObesity epidemic 'out of control'Are you living in slavery?Testimony: Former Niger slaveAfrican elections: Your picturesSend us your pictures of AfricaProgrammes and schedulesUN condemns Ivory Coast bombing  NIGERIA: TROUBLED GIANT Obasanjo's thankless task FIGHTING FOR OIL Oil capital under siege Profile: Militia leader In pictures The militia fighting for local control of Nigeria's oil wealth COMMUNAL CLASHES Eyewitness: 'Town of death' Analysis: Behind the violence In pictures Learning the lessons in the aftermath of bloodshed MUSLIM NORTH Simmering tensions Sharia 'a political tool' Tracking down Nigeria's 'Taleban' BACKGROUND Country profile Timeline RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Nigerian government The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW France attacks Ivorian airbase Darfur peace talks take new turn Mugabe flies to Equatorial Guinea Floods hit Somali lepers News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

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