Fuel Scarcity: We Spend Over 24 Hours To Get Petrol – Abuja Residents Lament

SAN FRANCISCO, March 30, (THEWILL) – Motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) spend over 24 hours at fillings stations to get premium Motor Spirit.

A check by the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Tuesday showed that the situation was persistent as many stations still witnessed massive queues.

NAN reports that most of the filling stations were not dispensing products.

On the Kubwa Express Road, it was observed that only NNPC outlets and Mobil sold products to motorists.

At Gwarinpa and Kado Estate, Forte, Conoil, Total, Alhamajir filling stations were not dispensing.

One of the staff at Conoil who spoke on anonymity, said the station had not dispensed in the last four days.

“We are expecting our products and any moment it arrives, we will definitely sell.

“The situation is critical but we will do our best to help out,” he said.

On the Lugbe Airport Road, while the NNPC outlets and Conoil were dispensing, Ashafa, MRS, Total and others were not selling.

Also in Nyaya, Mararaba Keffi road, only the NNPC was dispensing the product while AA Rano, Total, Conoil and others had no product to sell.

NAN reports that most filling stations in the city centre were dispensing with massive queue at various stations.

Mr Emeka Tobias, a taxi driver, told NAN that he passed a night at the filling station and was yet to get the product.

“I am hopeful that in the next couple of hours, I will get; I slept here because I need to buy this for my car.

“I am a taxi driver; I cannot afford (to buy from) black market,” he said.

Also, Mr Efoma Amos, a public servant, attributed the long queue and chaotic situation to inability of buyers to be orderly.

“I came in here around 5 a.m. and for more that four hours, I did not move the car because some people scattered the queue.

“Again the people arranging the queues are more interested in collecting ‘small change’ and creating room for chaotic situation witnessed here.

“I placed a call on DPR to report the case; they promised to bring their boys, but they are yet to be here,” he said.

He urged government to find a lasting solution to the situation.

Another customer, Mrs Amina Ahmed, said that the fuel scarcity was the greatest punishment Nigerians had been receiving in the last one year.

“When President Jonathan was there, we thought that it was corruption that was making this scarcity to persist.

“We thought that President Buhari would solve the situation but it seems the system is worst.

“May God help our country; that’s all I can say for now,” she added.

Meanwhile, the NNPC has reassured Nigerians that it was doing everything possible to ensure lasting solution to the problem.

“We wish to re-assure Nigerians that we are on top of the petroleum products supply and distribution situation, and we remain committed to eliminating this endemic issue once and for all within the next few days.

“We genuinely sympathise with the attendant sufferings and wish to reassure that we are focused and committed to bring an end to this situation within the next few days.

“We kindly call on all Nigerians to partner with us on this journey to allow the whole process of change come into fruition,” it said.

NAN