Motorists and commuters are beginning to face hardship in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, as most filling stations do not have fuel.
People that usually buy fuel from filling stations in Oke-Igbein through Nawar-ud-Deen to Ijaye axis are among those most hit as they have to go to Lafenwa to get petrol.
Also, the scarcity that began in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, at the weekend bite harder yesterday as many filling stations still allegedly refused to sell to motorists and other consumers, while many that were selling hiked the price to between N100 and N107 per litre.
The scarcity has begun to affect business activities, particularly cyber cafe operators and allied businesses as many of them have hiked their charges by almost 50 per cent.
At KAAB Station in Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta, the crowd was too large and people were seen brandishing jerry cans, while those who brought their vehicles were facing serious problems in driving to the dispensing units.
The attendants have started taken undue advantage of the situation as they collect extra charges from customers, particularly those with jerry cans.
There were suspicions that those stations which shut down have not run out of stock outright but rather hoarding the products for anticipated hike in the price petroleum products soon.
Some of the motorists who spoke with Daily Newswatch emphasised that they might possibly be doing panic buying as there have been reports that petrol is scarce in some parts of the country.
They blamed Federal Government for not fixing and expanding the refineries in the country, while condemning Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for various corrupt allegations on subsidy payments and for not being allegedly transparent in its operations.
Some of them also blamed the marketers for shutting their stations at the slightest rumour of scarcity and pretend that there is no fuel in their tanks.
They urged Governor Ibikunle Amosun to send out the task force on petroleum to conduct checks on those stations that didn’t open to customers to verify if they have actually run out of supply.
Other major cities and towns in the state are enjoying normal fuel supply.
However, a manager of fuel station, who spoke to Daily Newswatch on condition of anonymity, disclosed that there should be no reason for the scarcity.
He said that he has just taken delivery of products and instructed other managers of substations to keep the stations open.
Meanwhile, a survey conducted round Ibadan yesterday showed that more filling stations including the NNPC mega station at Akobo area along Iwo road/Ojo expressway was shut to motorists, while few ones, especially those along Sanyo area along Iwo road/Challenge expressway and Ibadan/Ife expressway were selling fuel at between N100 and N107 per litre.
Many station managers didn’t disclose why they were not selling fuel, while some of them simply said they were acting on the instruction of owners of the stations.
There was no official comment on the development as at press time.
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