Current Price Of Petrol In Osun, Others As Fuel Scarcity Looms Again
Nigerians are once again facing growing concerns as the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as fuel or petrol, approaches โฆ1,000 per litre at filling stations across various states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja.
This steep rise in fuel prices has intensified the anxiety among citizens, who are already grappling with the effects of inflation and economic challenges.
The supply of petrol has been inconsistent nationwide, leading to numerous filling stations being unable to stock the product.
This erratic availability has caused widespread frustration and inconvenience for both motorists and general consumers, who rely heavily on petrol for their daily activities and businesses.
Recent reports have highlighted the difficult experiences of motorists and consumers in the FCT and across various states in Nigeria.
Many have found themselves spending hours in long queues, with the hope of purchasing fuel at affordable rates, only to be met with exorbitant prices or complete unavailability.
In particular, it has been discovered that some filling stations operated by members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in the satellite towns of the FCT are selling petrol at nearly โฆ1,000 per litre. This shocking price hike has further exacerbated the plight of residents, especially those living in the outskirts of the city, who already face additional transportation costs.
Motorists within the city of Abuja are also experiencing long wait times at the few outlets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other major oil marketers that are still dispensing fuel. The queues at these stations stretch for miles, as desperate consumers seek to purchase fuel at a more reasonable price, despite the challenges.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has attributed the ongoing fuel shortage to a lack of direct supply from the NNPCL.
According to IPMAN, the NNPCL has not been consistent in delivering petrol to independent marketers, forcing them to source the product at higher costs from other suppliers.
Speaking on the development on Thursday, a former Chairman of IPMAN, Ejigbo Depot, Lagos,ย Akin Akinade,ย told Daily Trust that:ย โOur members have no direct supply from NNPC. We buy from Third Party. We buy at DAPMAN (Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria) Depot in Abule Ado.โ
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Osun and Oyo States
It was gathered that fuel is currently being sold at โฆ850 and โฆ900 at several filling stations in Osun and Oyo State.
Meanwhile, black markets around this region of the two states currently sell the product at exorbitant prices.
FCT/Abuja
It was ย learnt that numerous fuel stations in Abuja were closed yesterday, while the few that were operational experienced extensive queues.
This predicament began several days prior to the #EndBadGovernance protest, which started on the 1st of this month and has continued for over two weeks since then.
At the Umaru Ngelzarma Filling Station located in the Lokogoma area of Kabusa District in the FCT, one of our reporters noted yesterday that petrol was being sold at โฆ980 per litre.
Additionally, at Christeeโs Petrol Station, also situated in the Lokogoma area of Abuja, the price for the product was recorded at โฆ950 per litre.
Long lines were observed at the NNPCL station in Katampe, along the Kubwa Expressway, where motorists indicated they were prepared to spend the night in order to purchase fuel at โฆ617 per litre.
Another NNPCL station at Airport Junction, Jabi, was not dispensing fuel during a visit by one of our reporters yesterday.
This scenario was consistent across most petrol stations in Abuja and its surroundings, primarily due to the scarcity of the product.
Lagos
Journalists in Lagos reported yesterday that long lines formed at NNPCL stations offering fuel at โฆ568 per litre, while other stations such as Mobil, MRS, and North West charged between โฆ600 and โฆ650 per litre.
Commercial drivers shared their significant worries regarding the ongoing scarcity and the steep price increases at the limited stations that are still operational, primarily located on the outskirts of the nationโs commercial hub.
โThe hike in fuel price is the major problem we have in Nigeria. I bought โฆ900- โฆ950 in Calabar, that is why I have not travelled again. It is affecting our business.
โI left my bus because some filling stations sold โฆ1,000 per litre,โย Omotayo Adenikeju, a transporter, told Daily Trust.
However, a former chairman of IPMAN, Ejigbo Depot in Lagos, Akinade, told Daily Trust that third-party vendors from which some of their members source the product,ย โsell to us โฆ840, โฆ850; and by the time you add transportation to that, thereโs no way our members would sell less than theyโre selling.
โIf they bring down their price, weโre also going to bring down our price. Weโre in business to make money.โ
Kano
Motorists in Kano reported purchasing fuel at โฆ950 per litre from independent oil marketersโ stations, while NNPCL stations offered it atโฆ620.
This includes locations such as Kano Line, Kofar Nasarawa, Club Road near Murtala Muhammed Way, and Talโudu Sabon Titi.
A commercial driver, Habibu Sani, expressed a preference for waiting in line at the NNPCL station rather than paying over โฆ900 for a litre of fuel.
Another driver, Kabiru Yakasai, stated that he had to park his vehicle due to the unaffordability of fuel priced above โฆ900 per litre.
At an AY Maikifi outlet on Maiduguri Road, it was noted that fuel was being sold for โฆ900, while A.A. Rano Station on Gyadi-Gyadi Zaria Road was dispensing it at โฆ730.
Bashir Umar, an independent oil marketer in Kano, explained that the current supply shortage is due to marketers hesitating to transport fuel from Lagos, fearing a price drop once Dangote Refinery begins its market supply.
He indicated that marketers acquire fuel at โฆ900 per litre in Kano and subsequently sell it for โฆ950, accounting for transportation expenses.
Maiduguri
Reports from this region revealed that virtually all the NNPCL filling stations in the Borno State capital are located at the Bulumkutu area, along Kano Road; Mohammed Indimi Way, Off Damboa Road and Galadima Junction along Low-Cost Road, were closed yesterday.
A driver, Aminu Idris, said:ย โWe cannot afford to buy petrol from independent marketers at โฆ950โ.
Speaking, IPMAN Chairman, Borno State chapter,ย Mohammed Kuluwu, told Daily Trust that most stations in the state deliberately suspended fuel supply owing toย โthe crisis resulting from the #EndBadGovernance protestโ.
CSOโs Reaction
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has conveyed its concerns regarding the ongoing fuel scarcity affecting Nigeria.
In a statement released by its National Coordinator,ย Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko,ย HURIWA articulated its dissatisfaction with the federal governmentโs lack of response to this issue.
The organization noted that fuel scarcity has become a prevalent issue nationwide, with Abuja and other significant urban areas consistently experiencing extended fuel queues.
โDespite the various excuses provided by the NNPCL, the crisis persists, leading to speculations that the company may be benefiting from the situation.
โIn the past three months alone, the NNPCL has churned out no fewer than five different excuses for the ongoing fuel scarcity, ranging from logistics challenges to supply chain disruptions.
Credit: DailyTrust
