DESPITE repeated reassurances from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that the current fuel scarcity which has hit some states across the federation would soon end, the situation seems only to be worsening, as the price of fuel continues to soar with transport fares increased astronomically.
Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that many petrol stations across the Lagos metropolis and other states of the federation were selling the product at a higher price.
Checks on some petrol stations revealed that though some of them sold the product for N65 per litre, the pump attendants collected N100 before selling to motorists.
The price varied between N65 and N100 per litre at different petrol stations, as street urchins, popularly called area boys, used the opportunity to extort money from motorists.
The NNPC, on Thursday, issued a statement, saying that to combat the fuel crisis, 19 ships were currently awaiting offloading.
The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Sanusi Barkindo, said the management of the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the NNPC, had been directed to increase the tempo of activities in the importation and distribution of petroleum products.
Barkindo added that the PPMC was currently fast-tracking the discharge of products from the 19 ships already at the ports, while it had also placed orders for 12 more cargoes due to the inability of 15 oil marketers to activate the fuel import licences issued to them some months back.
But the situation became worse on Thursday, as motorists found it difficult to get fuel, while many people trekked long distances before they could get to their destinations as a result of fuel scarcity.
Nigerian Tribune checks in Jabi Park, Abuja, revealed that some of the transporters had to buy fuel from the black market and consistently increased their fares.
Transport fares statistics gathered by the Nigerian Tribune in the park is as follows: Abuja to Lagos by bus: N3,500; car: N4,500; Abuja to Ibadan, bus: N2,500; car: N3,000; Abuja to Maiduguri by bus: N2,800; car: N3,850; Abuja to Kano, car: N1,850; bus: N1,550.
Also, Abuja to Sokoto, car: N3,500; bus: N2,850; Abuja to Kaduna by car: N1,050; bus: N900; Abuja to Ado Ekiti, car: N2,000; bus: N1,500; Abuja to Ilorin, bus: N2,000; car: N2,500.
Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune across Ondo State, on Thursday, showed that majority of the petrol stations were not dispensing fuel. Long queues were noticed in some stations where the product was being sold, as motorists believed that some of the petrol stations were hoarding the product.
A few of the independent marketers that were selling fuel to motorists did so at high prices, with some selling for as high as N90. Some of the motorists that spoke with the Nigerian Tribune accused owners of petrol stations, including the major marketers, of deliberately hoarding the product.
As in most cities of the country, the fuel scarcity situation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, had not abated, as most filling stations remained shut. The few stations that were dispensing the commodity increased the price from its official price of N65 to between N80 and N100. Long queues of motorists and motorcyclists were noticeable in such stations.
Also, on the streets of Ibadan, the scarcity provided an avenue for black marketers to make brisk business. Street urchins and social miscreants also had a field day, as they mounted barricades at the extrance of a filling station in Mokola area of Ibadan, extorting money from motorists who were lucky to get fuel and cursing those who refused to pay their way through.
Consequently, transport fares hiked in the metropolis. Prior to the current situation, a ride on okada from Mokola to Premier Hotel cost N50. It increased to N70 on Thursday. Also in Enugu, a litre of petrol, which sold for N85 a few days ago, had increased to N100.
As a result, transport fares had shot up astronomically, leaving commuters to grapple with economic situations they were not expecting.
With the Christmas and New Year celebrations approaching, Nigerians may have to prepare for more than they bargain for, as the situation seems to defy all odds. In Ogun State, virtually all petrol stations within Abeokuta metropolis, on Thursday, were shut, as they were not selling the product to customers except the mega station owned by the NNPC.
Long queues were seen, as buyers groaned under the tense atmosphere, lamenting the scarcity of the product and blaming the Federal Government for their woes. The scarcity grew worse on Monday, as only two stations were seen selling fuel to their customers.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that consumers bought the product at exorbitant price between N75 and N80 per litre and people still struggled to purchase it. The spiralling effect of the current fuel scarcity is beginning to hit hard on commuters, as some major transporters in Lagos have hiked fares by about 50 per cent on inter-state routes.
The operators of luxury buses plying Lagos to the South–East, South-South and northern parts of the country pushed up fares by about N1,000. Also, the fare rise within Lagos metropolis ranged between 50 and 70 per cent, depending on the route.
As the fuel scarcity bites harder, transport fares to all parts of the country from Jos have gone up astronomically beyond the expectation of the people in the state. Nigerian Tribune investigations revealed that most of the authorised petrol stations in Jos, the state capital, had run short of fuel, while the only available source were the black market.