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| Fuel queue used to illustrate the story |
The Federal Capital Territory's (FCT) persistent fuel shortage has drawn criticism from a number of drivers.
The motorists complained about difficulty as a result of the situation, which persisted for more than four weeks, to journalists on Monday in Abuja.
Many gas stations weren't selling the product, and the handful that did had enormous lines, according to a correspondent who was monitoring the situation.
Following the occurrence, various gas stations reduced the pump price per litre of gasoline, with the exception of the retail locations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), which sold at N175 per litre.
The product is now sold at some gas stations for N195 to N250.
It was observed that JENEP, located in Azhata, along Karshi road, NNPC retail outlet, near GSM village, Zone 1 and NNPC retail outlet Zone 4, were seen selling with long queues.
The situation caused traffic gridlock as officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were seen controlling traffic.
The scarcity was initially caused by the flooding of roads and bridges in Kogi, which hindered the movement of trucks, thereby affecting the distribution of petroleum products.
However, the scarcity has continued, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulation Authority (NMDPRA) have yet to comment on the development.
Motorists called on the federal government to intervene to stem the suffering faced by residents.
An entrepreneur, who gave his name as Timothy, said he was spending much money patronising black marketers, adding that the only way he could survive was to increase the goods and services he provided to the public.
“I buy 10 litres of petrol at N3,500 from black marketers since it is not easily gotten at the fuel stations because of long queues.
“It is unfortunate that no fuel station sells below N175. And you can’t buy Jerry cans to power your generator if you don’t drive in with a car,’’ he said.
A motorist, Tobi Emmanuel, decried the pain he experienced for more than four weeks, stating that he spent many productive hours at fuel stations yet made little or no gain.
“Today, most of the stations are not selling along my route, which is Nyanyaa, so I managed to get to NNPC, Zone 4. Still, no hope because of the intimidating queues,” he said.
Another consumer, Rose Ogbuu, expressed displeasure over the situation, stressing that despite the fluctuating pump price if fuel was always available, people would not complain.
Civil servants and other passengers also decried the lack of transportation and fare hike enabled by the situation, saying it was demoralising.
According to them, commercial drivers now charged N400 for a route of N250 due to the scarcity.
(NAN)