Fuel Scarcity Hits PH As Long Queues Resurface

Long queues has sur
faced in most filling stations in the state capital as fuel scarcity hits most filling stations  even as motorists and consumers groaned under high hike at some stations selling the product.
Investigation by The Tide revealed that most filling stations in the state capital have closed shop as only NNPC mega filling stations at station road had petrol  and was selling to motorists at the normal price per litre ,
Speaking to our correspondent at the NNPC mega station, a motorist, Chukwuma Nelson said he had been in the queue for more than one hour, stressing that he was surprised at the sudden appearance of long queue in most filling stations in the state.
Our correspondent, who went round most filling stations, noticed that NNPC mega stations along Sime Tai, and Akpajo- Eleme Road were closed without any attendants in sight.
The Tide made efforts to speak with the stations managers was rebuked by the security guards at the filling stations.
When our correspondent visited Ifynow filling station, Akpajo and Azuba filling station at Eleme Junction, the attendants told The Tide that a litre is now 120 as against N97.
Also at Total filling station by 1st Artillary as of the time The Tide it was closed without any explanation from any staff The Tide sought to speak with.
A motorist who spoke to The Tide who pleaded anonymity alleged that the dealers were hoarding the product to cause scarcity in order to exploit the consumers and make profits at the expenses of the ordinary Nigerians.
He appealed to major stakeholders in oil business to intervene to ensure availability of the product in the state.
Meanwhile, officials of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) respectively have denied being on any industrial action to necessitate fuel scarcity in some parts of the country.
Speaking to The Tide, Comrade Chika Onuegbu said the two unions are not on any strike but promised the unions’ intervention in the fuel scarcity saga.

Philip Okparaji