FUEL SCARCITY BITES HARDER IN YOLA
http://www.nigerianbestforum.com/blog/?attachment_id=122123 A lingering fuel scarcity which started last year has continued to bite harder in Adamawa State.
The lingering fuel scarcity reportedly blighted the New Year celebration in many parts of the state as many motorists spent hours at filling stations across the state trying to procure the commodity.
Long queues stretching some kilometers were seen at the NNPC Mega Station along Galadima Aminu Way in the state capital. Nevertheless, black market operators had a field day selling the commodity at exhorbitant prices as a liter of petrol sold for between N170 to N180.
But most of the filling stations in Viniklang, a suburb of the state capital across River Benue bridge, were dispensing the commodity albeit above the approved pump price of N97 as the price of the commodity fluctuates between N130 to N135 per liter depending on the filling station one patronises.
Motorists lamented the situation, saying that it has caused them untold hardship due to man hours spent at filling stations in order to purchase the commodity. A motorist interviewed by LEADERSHIP decried the untold hardship he went through in order to purchase the commodity, saying that the development was causing serious economic setback to many families. 'It was pathetic that I have to spend the best part of my New Year's day at this filling station instead of being at home with my family to savour the bliss of the day.'
Commuters, similarly, complained about arbitrary increases in transportation fares as a result of the lingering fuel scarcity. Hitherto, commuters were charged N70 from Yola to Jimeta but the fare has been adjusted to N100 due to the scarcity. Also, cost of transport, has been adjusted from N200 to N250 between Yola and Numan.
A commuter in the metropolis, Mallam Abubakar Yunus, disclosed to LEADERSHIP that in the last three months they had been subjected to variations in transportation fares as a result of the lingering scarcity. He called on the government to take proactive measures to stem this unsavory development which has caused many families to go through untold hardships and ensure the availability of the commodity so that they will enjoy some respite.
A black market operator who does not want his name in print says lack of job was what put him into the business even as he added that the business is lucrative. 'I'm a proud owner of a house which I built with the proceeds from the business and my children are attending one of the best schools in town,' he added. He acknowledged the risk involved in the business as he recounted an ugly experience when his friend was roasted alive in a fuel related accident in Yola.
But despite the risk, desperation and poverty are pushing more youths to embrace the business so as to keep body and soul together. He called on the federal and state governments to create more jobs, especially for the youths, to prevent them from going into crimes and other anti-social behaviors.
Most of the filling stations visited in Yola metropolis remained under lock and key apparently due to non-availability of the commodity thereby making it difficult to get their comments on the development.