In this report for IkejaBird, KOLA ALHASSAN examines the fuel scarcity plaguing the country,with major cities across the federation witnessing long queues in fuel stations. It has been a hell of a week for motorists, commuters and others with the scarcity unabating.
This week has been hellish for commuters, motorists and citizens alike who rely on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for multiple purposes.
It is sad and utterly shocking that the country being the 7th largest producer of petrol in the world imports fuel, then, experiences scarcity of PMS.
When this reporter visited major cities in Lagos and Ogun State, buses, cars, commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators were seen on long queues, even as some petrol stations were shut.
Some motorists who talked to this reporter noted that they bought a litre of petrol for N350, while some patronised black market operators who sold to them for N500.
Passengers were not left out of the scarcity blues. They had to pay through the nose to get to their destinations.
Yinka Sunday, who works in Yaba, said:
“This week has been a terrible experience for me. Going to work didn’t come easy. I boarded a bus to my work place in Yaba for N700, normally the fare is N400; at times N300. I learnt the adulterated fuel was the reason behind the scarcity. However, things like this should not be happening in our country. What is the NNPC doing? How can adulterated fuel be brought into the country? Only God can save us in this country.”
Other commuters who spoke to this reporter also bemoaned the hike in fare, while urging the Federal Government to prevail on the situation.
Fuel scarcity: The genesis
The Federal Government had informed the public about toxic petrol which had high amount of methanol.Thus, government had to withdraw the fuel in circulation.
The government said in a statement: “The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (The Authority) wishes to inform the general public that – limited quantity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as Petrol, with methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification was discovered in the supply chain.
“Methanol is a regular additive in Petrol and usually blended in an acceptable quantity.
“To ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated and withdrawn from the market, including the loaded trucks in transit.”
The Federal Government also said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited had intensified efforts to increase the supply of petrol into the market in order to bridge any unforeseen supply gap, yet citizens face hardship as a result of fuel scarcity.
Hope rises; respite to come next week
Following the gnawing scarcity experienced by Nigerians, the NNPC Ltd has said the scarcity of fuel experienced by Nigerians would end next week.
It expressed confidence that there would be enough fuel in circulation next week.
The NNPC noted that 30 vessels were expected to deliver 2.3 billion litres of petrol to the country till the end of this month.
This was disclosed last Thursday in a National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.
With long queues still seen around the cities, and the scarcity biting harder than expected, citizens hope they won’t have to wait for Godot before the Federal Government addresses the situation.
