Fuel Scarcity: Motorists Express Displeasure, Task NNPC, Others On Supply

The present fuel shortage that is being felt in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its surroundings has angered a lot of motorists.

The motorists in Abuja spoke with NAN on Thursday and voiced their discontent at the persistently long lines at the majority of gas stations.

They encouraged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and other regulatory organisations to closely watch fuelling facilities that appear to be stockpiling petroleum products.

These gas stations ought to be sanctioned, say the drivers.

The majority of the fueling stations in the territory, according to a NAN correspondent who observed several of them, were not seen selling gasoline goods.

Around the places where the fueling stations selling petrol were located, there had been severe gridlocks brought on by the long lines.

The construction has made it difficult for commuters to find transit.

Additionally, the motorists believe that some retailers and gas stations are hoarding the goods.

According to NAN, the Conoil and Total gas stations next to the NNPC Towers were among the fuelling locations dispensing the products and both had lengthy lines.

At Karshi road, just three stations namely Forte Oil, Conoil and Best Albino (Black Market) were selling fuel at between N180 and N285, while NNPC Limited Outlet in Karu was selling at N179.

Near the Gwarimpa-Kado flyover on the Kubwa Expressway, NNPCL Retail and SALBAS fuelling stations had fuel however there were large lines.

The drivers pleaded with the authorities to withdraw the licences of gas stations that haven't sold anything in months.

Godfrey Aremosele, a driver who lamented the current shortage, claimed that drivers suspected that the stations that weren't selling petrol were stealing goods to resell at greater costs in neighbouring states and the countryside, which was what was causing the shortage in Abuja.

Another driver, Donald Ugwu, stated that the situation was unpredictable and that there was a suspicion that marketers were attempting to create a false scarcity in order to raise the pump price from the N180 being offered by some of their members.

He claimed that both during and after the holiday season, things were difficult for us since the cost of fuel was high in several regions and states, which made it more expensive for people to travel.

“In Enugu, I bought fuel last week at N340 per litre.

"I just bought today at N280 per litre at Haris fueling station Maraba, Nasarawa State.

“The government needs to address issues bordering on fuel crisis,” he said.

Another motorist who claimed anonomity expressed displeasure at the situation, adding that there were a lot of things being hidden in the oil and gas sector especially in the subsidy regime.

“It is better to remove the subsidy completely for Nigerians to know the real price of petrol and face it squarely, ”the motorist said.

However, the drivers demanded that the NNPC Limited and other oil regulatory authorities move quickly and implement surveillance to find marketers and gas stations that were stockpiling fuel.

As of the time this story was filed, NAN says that efforts to get the authorities to respond had not yet produced a fruitful outcome.