Despite assurance by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that it will not increase petrol pump price in May, queues have returned in Abuja filling stations.

There are queues for petrol in Wuse, Gwarimpa, Wuye and Kubwa expressway on Tuesday.

A private car owner, Halima Umar, said she did not know the reason for the queue, adding that the government should put measures in place to bring sanity to the oil sector.

“They encourage black markets, and most times, their fuel is bad. We don’t always need to face this problem in buying petrol every month. We need a permanent solution,” Ms Umar said.

A taxi driver, Emmanuel Offor, said he had been at the petrol station since 8:00 a.m. and unable to buy fuel as of 10:30 a.m.

“This is my source of livelihood. My family depends on this daily. This fuel problem will slow my productivity and lower my return for the day.

“I am scared of buying black market. Because when I did last month, I bought bad fuel. It spoilt my fuel pump, and I spent more in fixing it,” Mr Offor disclosed.

A manager at one of the filling stations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said there was enough fuel on the ground, adding there is no reason for people to engage in panic-buying.

(NAN)