THE INFORMANT247
26-12-2017.
On a day Kwarans are expected to join the rest of the World to celebrate Christmas, many are left stranded at filling stations, across the state, as the fuel scarcity bites harder even despite the NNPC claims that it had increased daily volume of fuel supply from the usual 35 million litres to about 80 million litres and that six of the major petroleum marketers – Total, Forte Oil, Oando Plc, MRS, Conoil and NIPCO Plc – had been drafted to help truck out products from various depots in Lagos to all parts of the country.
But in spite of this, the efforts appear inadequate to translate into any significant solution at the filling stations as most are under lock and key while those selling the product did so at exorbitant prices.
As the fuel crisis worsened, many Kwarans accustomed to travel to other parts of the country for celebration are left stranded at motor parks as motorist also inflate their price. As at last Sunday, instead of the normal #2,500 fare to Lagos, it has been increased to range between #5,000 to #6,000. Our correspondent who went to observe most the situation at most of filling stations noted that the transport fare within the city metropolis has even been inflated.
“It is not our fault, i was on a queue for two straight days before i could get some petrol product and even at that, i couldn’t get it at the normal price. So do you now expect us not to do away from the normal price?” Complained a commercial driver who only identify himself as Kunle.
Many of the petrol stations were chaotic in spite of the presence of security officials, including police and soldiers as people struggle to get their tank filled with PMS.
A private car owner, Joy Oke, said it has been a while he last went out with his car because he had been looking for fuel . He also lamented missing Christmas service.
“This is the first time i will miss the Christmas Church service in a while. I have been sleeping at different fillings stations looking for fuel. The black market aren’t reliable as apart from the exorbitant price, they also missed their product. This is the worst Christmas ever!”
Our correspondent also visited Bovas station along Fate road. There were about 500 vehicles waiting to get their tanks filled. The queue cross the popular Shoprite mall to NTA and eventually stopped at the Fate roundabouts.
“I have to leave home earlier this morning, around 5:00am, my car have been here since Saturday. I go home late at night and come early the following morning. My children are still expecting me at home, to take them out for Christmas celebration, as i speak to you, but do i have any other options?” – lamented a motorist who spoke with THE INFORMANT correspondent around 12:00pm yesterday.