As Nigerians are grappling with the harsh economic situation, long queues of vehicles have resurfaced again at filling stations in some states in the Southwest.
Oyo
In Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, residents have continued to experience difficulties to get the premium motor spirit, known as petrol.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent who monitored the situation in the metropolis gathered that many of the petrol stations were under lock while those that opened to customers had long queues of vehicles, motorcycles and jerry cans.
Some motorists, who spoke under anonymity, lamented the frustration the development had caused them.
They explained that some of the filling stations had started selling the product at between 170 and 180 naira per litre as against the former 165 naira per litre.
The motorists called on government to address the situation before it becomes worse.
They complained that the current economic situation confronting the citizens was enough to grapple with maintaining that the situation called for urgent attention of the Federal government as the oil and gas sector was witnessing a dwindling crisis.
When contacted, the Nigeria Oil Mainstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority, Oyo State office promised to call back and comment on the issue.
At Moniya, Sango, Eleyele, Dugbe and Polytechnic Road, residents were seen carrying jerry cans while there were long queues of vehicles at most of the filling stations in the areas to purchase the commodity being sold above the official pump price.
Diesel was also being sold beyond the official rate.
At the moment, the prices of diesel and gas have astronomically increased. Before now, diesel was being sold between N650 and N750 per litre while gas which cost N750 per kg now sells for N1000, and kerosene, N500 per litre.
A motorist at one of the filling stations monitored by Radio Nigeria reporter, Mr Bisi Oladimeji lamented that constant fuel scarcity in the country was compounding the suffering of Nigerians.
A manager in one of the filling stations in Ibadan revealed that the sudden long queues might be connected to non importation of petrol due to debt government owed independent depot owners.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN), Southwest zone had earlier in a statement said it would direct its members to increase pump price of petrol to one hundred and eighty naira if the appropriate regulatory agency of government fail to address the issue of irregular supply of petroleum products to its member.
Tawakalit Ibrahim/Lekan Ademokoya/Saka Olayiwola
Ogun
Vehicle queues have returned to filling Stations within Abeokuta Metropolis due to reported possible increment in Petroleum pump price.
Our correspondent who monitored the situation across the capital city reports that petrol, also called premium motor spirits, PMS, is available in most of the filling stations and are being sold at the recommended one hundred and sixty-five naira per litre rate.
It was observed that the queues are not long while only a few filling stations are selling petroleum products without queues.
An independent marketer along Abiola Way, Mr. Micheal Adejumo while speaking on the situation said people were only buying in panic anticipating a possible pump price increase.
He stated that the reported increment was inevitable as the price of petroleum products has increased in the international market.
A commercial vehicle driver in the queue at one of the filling stations along Oke Itoku Area, Mr. Abeeb Gbadela said he was trying to fill up his vehicle before the possible new price regime.
He called on the government to ensure the availability of the product due to the effects scarcity will have on the economy.
Wale Oluokun
Osun
Residents of Osun state want the Federal government to take proactive steps to end incessant increases in fuel pump prices.
They made the call in Osogbo, Ilesa and Ile-Ife while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the backdrop of the statement by the Southwest zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, to direct its members to increase petrol pump price to 180 naira per litre.
A motorist in Osogbo, Mr. Mayowa Ojo said increasing the price of petroleum motor spirit also known as petrol would impact negatively on the economy and the lives of the people.
Mr. Ojo noted that many manufacturing companies are already folding up due to the high cost of production, saying an additional burden in terms of fuel price increase would affect the nation’s economy.
Also speaking, a trader, Mrs. Kafayat Adeoba in Ilesa said Nigerians were going through a hard time with the present prices of foodstuffs and other services, hence the need for the Federal government to prevent another economic hardship in the country.
A visit to some filling station in Osogbo, Ilesa and Ife indicates that some marketers have changed their pump prices to between 170 and 175 naira per litre of petrol from 165 per litre, while diesel is now sold at 800 naira per litre from 750 naira per litre.
It will be recalled that recently the chairman of IPMAN, Southwest zone, Alhaji Dele Tajudeen, in a statement directed its members to increase petrol pump price to n180 per litre as the price of diesel per litre would equally be increased.
Funmi Adekoya
Ondo
Long queues are gradually building up in petrol stations in Akure, the Ondo State capital signalling the likelihood of another fuel scarcity.
Radio Nigeria correspondent, who went round the metropolis, observed that most filling stations on the major roads were under lock.
At Alagbaka and Oba-Ile areas, only a few filling stations were despising fuel as at this morning while only one station opened on the whole of Ilesa road in the long queue.
The story was the same at Ondo road as only three petrol stations opened for business.
Some motorists, who spoke with Radio Nigeria, called on the Federal Government to avert another fuel scarcity in the masses.
A resident, Mrs. Stella Oyebiade said there was no need for marketers to force a scarcity on the public if they wanted to increase the price as being speculated.
