Tweeps have slammed the Federal Government as commuters were left stranded on Tuesday as petrol shortage characterised by long queues have crept into the busiest city in Nigeria, Lagos State.
While some filling stations, especially independent marketers, allegedly did not have the product to sell to motorists and other consumers and were shut down, those who had had very long queues.
This then implied that those with commercial stocks increased their prices, ranging between N200 and N250 per litre, depending on location.
The National Operations Controller, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr Mike Osatuyi, who confirmed the development in a telephone interview with Vanguard, attributed it to unsteady supply in the past few days.
He said as a result of the unsteady supply, depot prices have risen to between N175 and N180 per litre in Lagos and its environs.
According to him, “The situation has culminated in higher prices at the depots. Our members, who find it difficult to get the product, pay between N175 – N185 per litre. Consequently, we are compelled to sell at higher prices in order to cover cost.”
While the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has not yet commented as of the time of this report, several consumers, especially in Lagos have taken to social media to air their plight.
@nerdy_deb: Fuel scarcity, buses aren’t on ground and there are tons of people at different bus stops. This Lagos na wa.
Meanwhile, an Abuja resident, @ifeagbeja said, “Maybe the govt will attend to us in Abuja now. We have had fuel for about 2-3 months since November last year. The cheapest amount I bought this month was 300/litre. It’s normally 17k for 50 litres.”
@ismailadebiyi thinks that “Flood is a major cause, #300 per litre wào. You guys have been leaving in fuel reality already, it will be easier for you guys to adapt.”
However, in a recent statement, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited urged consumers not to panic in Abuja as it was working to restore stable supply.
It stated, “The current queue situation in some parts of Abuja and its environs is as a result of delays in arrival of fuel trucks. This is happening as a result of heavy flooding that has submerged parts of the highway passing through Lokoja, Kogi State and also an incidence of a failed road section around Badegi-Agaie highway in Niger State.
“Consequently, vehicles, especially fuel tankers, are finding alternative roads to get to their intended destinations”.
