Motorists, Civil Servants Groan As Fuel Scarcity Hits Osun

Motorists in Osogbo, Osun State capital have expressed frustration over the increase in fuel pump price and persistent fuel scarcity.

Osun Defender reports that over the past few weeks, there have been scarcity of the premium motor spirits over the country with queues in filling stations.

It was observed that many filling stations were not selling the product, while long queues were seen at the few selling.

Following the development, many commercial vehicles were off the roads as operators queued at the few filling stations selling the product.

It was further observed that many were stranded as driver increased transport fares.

Checks by the medium revealed that retail filling stations within Osogbo have adjusted their pump prices selling between #900 and #1200 per litre.

Speaking to Osun Defender, commuters, including civil servants, expressed sadness about the situation and called for the government’s intervention.

A civil servant, Ojutomori Motunrayo, said the removal of the fuel subsidy without proper plans has affected the oil and gas sector and the state’s economy.

She said, “Before I spend 250 when I am going to work in the morning but now because of the fuel scarcity, the drivers have increased the bus fares. I now spend 400, 500, it is really heartbreaking because that is just like using my salary for transportation alone.

“And we can’t blame the drivers too since the government removed subsidy on fuel with any plan or alternative.

“The dollars keep going high, and it makes it difficult for the importers and marketers to buy petrol, this is because they need to sell as they buy to make their profit.

“If the government is not ready to make a lasting policy, they should bring back the subsidy as a lot of citizens are suffering,” Motunrayo said.

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Also speaking, a Keke driver, Mr Aloze Ojo, said he had been in the filling station since 7 a.m. without getting fuel.

“We know it is not the government’s making, but it should work on the roadmap to avoid any further problems.

“The hardship is too much; at times, I cannot go to work because there is no money for transportation, and feeding is a bigger problem.”

A taxi driver, Olusegun Ade, said things were complicated due to high petrol costs and scarcity.

“I run at a loss now; this is because I buy at a high cost, and if I increase the transportation, some passengers may not be able to afford it.

“My family depends on my daily returns, and it has not been easy meeting up, and with the latest increase, I do not know what to do.

“I am begging our president to do something fast on the suffering of Nigerians, as it is not easy for a lot of us please,” Ade said.

Recall the NNPC Retail Management has approved an upward review of the pump price of petrol from N617 per litre to N897 litre, effective from Sept. 3.