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The expectation that queues at filling stations would dissipate after the sudden hike in petrol prices on Tuesday was dashed yesterday.
Across major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Ibadan, Warri, Jos and Port Harcourt, motorists spent hours at stations waiting to buy petrol – which was unavailable in most places.
Commuters were stranded, many of them unable to leave the bus stops for their respective designations.
Surveys across major cities by The Nation showed that petrol was being sold for between N855 per litre and about N1,200.
After admitting disruption in supply due to $6.8 billion in debts to suppliers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) filling stations adjusted their meters to reflect new prices.
The increase by the sole supplier of petrol triggered an immediate increase across other retail stations, with major oil marketers adding slight premium and independent oil marketers adding more than N100 to the NNPCL’s price.
From Lagos to Abuja, Warri, Kano, Jos, Nasarawa, Abeokuta and others, queues were long.
Our reporter observed that several filling stations were shut within the Warri and Effurun metropolis of Delta State yesterday morning.
The few that were open for business sold petrol above N1,000.
The development also affected interstate transporters.
At the popular Airport Junction, Effurun, the usual bustle at the transport lines was less.
It was learnt that most transport services could hardly get petrol to fuel their vehicles.
The development also affected interstate transporters.
At the popular Airport Junction, Effurun, the usual bustle at the transport lines was less.
It was learnt that most transport services could hardly get petrol to fuel their vehicles.
The commuters decried the incessant increase in petrol price and scarcity of the product.
“I bought petrol from the black market at N1,400. Some people sell at N1,500. This increase has affected fare prices and it is affecting our work, especially with the fact that we have to pay community levy every day.”
Motorists and commuters in Jos decried the hike in pump price.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), correspondent who went around Jos observed that major and other marketers were dispensing the product between N970 and N1100.
While many fuel stations were without the product, NAN observed long queues at NNPCL Mega Station, Dogon Karfe, and NNPCL Station Mararaba Jamaa, as well as the Mobil Filling Station in Hwolshe, Jos.
The Organised Private Sector (OPS) reacted with caution, acknowledging the burden and unsustainability of the petrol subsidy, while noting the adverse effects of the hike in petrol price on consumers and the productive sector of the economy.
READ THE FULL STORY IN THE NATION
