Concerns As Fuel Scarcity Worsens In Kaduna, Katsina, And Kano

As the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol or fuel, becomes more severe throughout Nigeria, drivers in Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina States are facing exorbitant prices to secure the now hard-to-find product.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that most leading and independent fuel retailers have shut down their pumps.

Furthermore, the few that remain in operation have increased the fuel price to between N 800 and N1000, worsening the already unstable situation.

Similarly, it was noted that fuel smugglers, particularly those operating on the roadside, were thriving, with a 4-litre gallon going for between N5000 and N6000.

A group of drivers interviewed by NAN expressed their frustration, saying, “We are deeply troubled by this terrible situation, which has severely impacted our daily lives.”

A civil servant, Salisu Baso, voiced disappointment about having to fork out twice the usual fare for his daily journey to his job at the Federal Secretariat in Kawo-Kaduna.

Baso said, “We don’t even know who is right now. Is it the government or the marketers? Unfortunately, they are just passing the buck.

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Baso emphasized the need for immediate government intervention to address the escalating petrol crisis, highlighting the crucial role of the government in resolving the situation.

Mrs. Franscisca Idika, a trader at the Chechnya market in Kaduna, highlighted the severe impact of the ongoing fuel scarcity and rising costs on their businesses, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

She said, “I have to pay more now to reach the market, and we just have to increase the prices of our wares to break even.”

Information from Kano and Katsina States also showed a similar discouraging scenario of increased costs and long lines at the limited gas stations that are still open.

Mr Alao Jaremi, a technology specialist from Katsina, urged the relevant officials to act quickly to guarantee the availability of fuel nationwide.

“We need the government to swing into action and do what is necessary to alleviate the suffering of the hapless Nigerians,” Malam Ibrahim Dan-Musa told NAN in Kano.

As the scarcity continues, NNPCL and the oil distributors are deflecting responsibility for the actual reasons behind the lack of the product.

NNPCL has been adamant that the extensive lines in Nigeria are due to the interruption of the on-ship transfer of fuel from larger ships to smaller ones, further stating, “This happened because of a recent storm.”

The national oil company has also pointed out that bad weather has impacted the loading of ships at ports and the delivery of goods to gas stations, leading to a halt in the supply chain at these stations.

On the other hand, the distributors argue that they could not use the NNPCCL website to order the product.