Like a festering sore, the issue of kerosene scarcity had persisted at various times in different parts of the country. Sometimes, the product, otherwise known as Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), would be so scarce that many Nigerians are compelled to seek various alternatives.

In such circumstance, the privileged resort to the use of gas not minding its high-risk value while the less privileged embark on various methods of extracting dry firewood, including bush burning from the already depleted forests. Some even surrender to the use of charcoal for cooking.

But while the kerosene scarcity persists, its negative consequences are usually most unfortunate. Some callous businessmen cash in on the situation to adulterate the little quantity in circulation. And like a keg of gun power awaiting ignition, massive fire explosions claim many lives and raze houses.

In Rivers State, the effect has not been less severe. Not too long ago, a 12-year old Hope Fadae was flown to South Africa for medical treatment after a weekend kerosene explosion that killed his parents and three siblings. The list of victims and casualties is endless as adulterated kerosene-induced explosions had claimed lives at Abonnema Wharf, Eagle Island, Railway Quarters and other parts of the state.

Early in the year when kerosene scarcity resurfaced in Port Harcourt, about eight people lost their lives to kerosene explosion, and no fewer than 5,000 residents of Elechi Beach were rendered homeless.

Once more, Dual Purpose Kerosene has disappeared, and its absence is biting hard on the users as the product is either not seen or available at extremely exorbitant prices above the reach of the common people. The Tide’s recent market survey indicates that a litre of kerosene which officially sold for N2,400 is now N4,300 while a bottle rose from N100 to N300. As usual, reasons have been adduced for the scarcity.

While government officials  said the post-election violence in the Northern  part of the country was responsible, officials of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) argued that the partial deregulation of the product was reason for the scarcity. The IPMAN’s South East Zone Chairman, Chief Chukwudi Ezinwa, explained that while petrol is still subsidised, kerosene is partially deregulated.

Be that as it may, we are more concerned on government’s move to find a lasting solution to the scarcity, and give succour to the already over-stretched masses whose lives ultimately depend on use of kerosene without alternatives.

While we are not oblivious of the long term benefits of deregulation to the people and the economy of the nation, which include availability and quality content of the product, we make haste to say that the Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency, make a bold and definite statement on the nagging issue of deregulation while taking serious action to address the life-threatening situation.

Agreed, it is not unlikely that the post-election violence in some parts of the North may have contributed to the difficulty in procuring and circulating the product within the period, its lingering effect could not have escalated to the current magnitude as witnessed in various parts of the country. Even so, the fact that the scarcity has persisted in the South East, South South and South West, which did not witness any post-election violence gives room for more answers to this troubling enigma.

Nevertheless, we urge government not to relent in seeking measures to cushion the harsh effects of the scarcity and the exorbitant price of kerosene on the people. In fact, we insist that government should introduce economic policies that would benefit the masses and also ensure that  corrupt officials do not hijack the process and impoverish society the more. For instance, several poverty alleviation programmes introduced in the past were abused as there became conduit pipes for siphoning government funds.

Unless this is checked, the years of sacrifice and unquantifiable contributions of the oil-bearing communities in the Niger Delta would be in vain, if nothing is urgently done to ensure that they are not starved of the end-product extracted from their soil, even if they must pay for it.

We are, however, not unmindful of the antics of dubious elements in the country whose stock-in-trade hinges on greed and sharp practices to circumvent government’s people-oriented programmes for their selfish interests.

Such people must be checked in their tracks for President Goodluck Jonathan to sustain his efforts, now a reference point, at ensuring availability of petroleum products nationwide. The Tide expects that the various arms of government and extra-ministerial agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) War Room, including officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) should synergise with major and independent marketers for the purposes of maintaining unfettered delivery of petroleum products to the masses.

In addition, government should endeavour to put to optimal use the nation’s existing four refineries, and expose economic saboteurs in the system who would not see anything good with our refineries functioning in full capacity.

It is, indeed a cheering news that private investors are at the verge of establishing refineries. But we note that the take-off of these refineries and the attendant encumbrances are quite discouraging. We, therefore, urge the Federal Government to ensure full commitment and engage genuine and sincere investors. Such enduring plans, no doubt, would end the frequent scarcity of  petrol and diesel which are already scarce in some parts of the country, and particularly kerosene, which is so dear to the common people.