Encomium
The fuel scarcity that started on Monday, December 18, 2017, as a result of the nationwide strike action embarked upon by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and National Gas Workers (NUPENG) which has now entered day five is yet to fizzle out. Instead, it’s biting harder and harder by the day despite the threat by the Federal Government (FG) to deal with whoever is responsible for the sabotage which has inflicted undue pains on innocent citizens.
encomium.ng’s visit to some filling stations on Thursday, December 21 and Friday, December 22, 2017, revealed that the product was not available, and where it was, it was being sold mainly in kegs with extra charges which vary from station to station. And the price per litre has jumped as high as N200. This, however, has led to hike in the cost of transportation across the country, especially the major cities, including Lagos, Portharcourt, Kaduna, Kano and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, leaving commuters stranded all over the place.
Also, encomium.ng gathered that the situation may even get worse as the body is yet to enter into negotiation with the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu and Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru on how to resolve the crisis.
Few motorists encomium.ng spoke to narrated their ugly experience in getting fuel in the last few days. They, therefore, appeal to NUPENG and other major marketers to shear their swords in the interest of the season we’re in now the government was also enjoined to play its part in the interest of the generality of Nigerian citizenry.
According to Taofeek Amoo, “I had to sleep at the filling station before I could get the fuel I am using now. That’s why it can’t work for me to charge passengers the same fare they have been paying before now. I also bought a litre of petrol for N170 despite the fact that I slept there. So, we only need to appeal to the people on strike to come down so that people can enjoy Christmas and New year celebrations. We also need to appeal to the FG to meet their demands and end the strike once and for all.”
Also, a Marwa rider, Joseph Chukwuma lamented, “It was a hell getting fuel to work now. Even, if we charge double the fare we used to collect, we can’t still make mach gains. I bought the fuel at the rate of N200 per litre. And only God knows when the strike will end. So, one needs to be very careful so as not to run transport at a loss this time around.”
An Okada rider at Fagba, Lagos, Mallam Audu Idris also said, “It’s not easy getting fuel at all now. Anywhere you see fuel now, you see a long queue. Not only that, if you buy in the keg you pay N200 or at least, N100. I got home very late yesterday despite coming out early to look for fuel. Some are selling but too costly. And I had to look for where it’s a bit cheaper so that I won’t run at a loss. I pray the marketers and the government end the crisis before next week. People are suffering too much.”
– TADE ASIFAT
