TheCable

Almost two months after the end of a nationwide scarcity of premium motor spirit (petrol), the commodity is again short supply in Lagos, and queues of vehicles at filling stations in the metropolis are back.

When TheCable visited some filling stations at Egbeda on Saturday, the queues spanned more than 50 metres, attendants dispensing fuel at the approved pump price of N97 per litre.

But at some other stations, the commodity went for much higher prices. Filling stations in Akowonjo sold for between N150 and N200 per litre. Some stations in the area were locked, apparently due to shortage of supply.

Motorists stuck in the queues expressed unhappiness with the lingering fuel scarcity, lamenting they are now forced to spend valuable man hours idling on the road in wait for fuel. They blamed NNPC officials for failing to address the issue, despite their promises.

A motorist at Egbeda who simply identified himself as Mr. Offor lamented that he arrived at the filling station as early as 8am; and after two hours, it was not yet his turn.

“I have been here since 8’o clock, and now it is 10. I still have not been able to buy fuel,” he said.

“When am I supposed to be at my workplace looking for money’?”

Another motorist, Mr. Bolaji, also expressed dismay over the development, saying the trend is one the country ordinarily ought to have progressed beyond.

“I cannot understand what is happening in this country,” he fumed.

“We have fuel, but we still suffer to buy, even after subsidy.”

Efforts to speak with management of the fuel stations were futile, as all of them declined comments.

Motorists are not alone in this, as commuters are groaning under the resultant hike in transport fares, owing to the scarcity.