Motorists groan as fuel scarcity bites harder in Katsina

The filling stations were characterised by long queues, where motorists passed the night or spent several hours before refilling their vehicles.

News Agency of Nigeria • October 12, 2022

fuel queue

Motorists in Katsina State have lamented that the experience of intense petrol scarcity across the state is taking a negative turn on their businesses.

Only the NNPC Mega station on Kano road and Jibiya road are selling fuel at the approved price, while others sell from N185 and above.

The filling stations were characterised by long queues, where motorists passed the night or spent several hours before refilling their vehicles.

It was also observed that most of the gas stations in the state capital remained closed, except a few selling the product at exorbitant prices amidst long queues.

Other filling stations outside the state capital sold the product at N240 per litre and above, depending on the area.

The situation gave black marketers an opportunity of having a field day where a four-litre gallon costs N2,000 and above, even in the Katsina metropolis.

Aliyu Mustapha, a motorist, complained about how the situation had affected the socio-economic activities in the state.

Mr Mustapha, therefore, urged the government and relevant authorities to hasten taking measures that would address the problem.

Tukur Abdullahi, another motorist, said he parked his car because of the problem as he could not afford to buy fuel at over N2,000 per four-litre gallon.

“Some of the marketers are using the situation to maximise profit at the detriment of the masses, which is very unfortunate.

“Government should sanction such filling stations found wanting, to serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) blamed the recent flooding that affected major roads linking to the northern parts of the country on the delay in product transportation.

A statement by the IPMAN chairman, northern Nigeria, Bashir Danmalam, said trucks loaded with the products were expected to supply products in Abuja and other parts of the country soon.

The statement, therefore, urged Nigerians to exercise patience as measures were intensified to restore regular supply across the country.

(NAN)

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