Motorists groan over lingering fuel scarcity in Abeokuta

Motorists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, have expressed worry over the biting fuel scarcity in the city.

Many filling stations have also been converted to secondary homes for most of the motorists.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, a commercial driver, Anthony Olatunde said he had been on the queue at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at Oke-Mosan since 3:00 am, and had lost hope of getting the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol.

“I’ve been in this queue since 3:00 am and it is not certain whether it would get to my turn today. I have had to abandon everything to be here. The situation is really bad,” he said.

Another commercial driver, Ogunlesi Oladapo, bemoaned the effect the scarcity had had on his business.

He noted how the transport fares have been inflated by drivers due to the fuel scarcity.

Oladapo added that he had to join other drivers on the queues at NNPC, as the station is renowned for selling fuel at the pump price.

A source who didn’t want to be named claimed the lingering scarcity in Abeokuta is due to the dearth of major fuel marketers in the city compared to Lagos State which boasts of a much larger number of major marketers.

The motorists, however, appealed to the government to intervene in the fuel scarcity and make petroleum products available to the teeming public.