Despite the assurances by the Nigerian National Petroleum corporation (NNPC) that Nigerians need not panic over the rumoured impending fuel shortage, long queues have resurfaced in Abuja filling states as motorists struggle to purchase and store petrol in their homes.
As a result of such panic most fuel stations have been placed under lock and key by their owners while long queues were noticed in retail outlets in most areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. A private car owner, Mr Emmanuel Eze, stated that there was fuel but does not know the reason for the queues. He urged the government to bring sanity to the oil sector.
“They encourage black market and most times their fuel is adulterated. Why do we have to face this kind of problem every month? We need a permanent solution,” Eze said. Another private car owner, Alhaji Ibrahim Audu. said that there was enough fuel on ground, quoting the Nigerian National Petroleum corporation (NNPC). I urge all the regulating authorities to sanction fuel station owners. They are making people suffer unnecessary and it’s for their selfish reason.” A taxi driver, Mr Yakubu Abraham, said that he has been at the petrol station since 6 pm and was yet to buy petrol. This is my source of livelihood. My family depends on this daily and this fuel problem will slow my productivity and return for the day. I am scared of buying from the black market because the last time I did, they sold bad fuel to me and it spoilt my fuel pump and I spent more money in fixing it. Everything is hard now and this will be bad for the citizens,” Abraham said.
