Commuters Lament Fuel Scarcity As Litre Sells For N150

Commuters and residents
in Nasarawa State have decried the exorbitant cost of petrol caused by fuel scarcity in the country.
The Tide source who monitored filling stations in Keffi, on Thursday, reports that a litre of petrol is selling between N135 and N150 and that long queues have resurfaced at the few filling stations selling the product in Keffi local government area of the state.
Some commuters and residents, who spoke in Keffi, decried the sharp increase in transport fares as a result of the fuel scarcity.
They said that the situation was subjecting them to untold hardship and affecting transportation, their businesses and lives negatively.
A commuter, Mr Timothy Peter, said that the scarcity of petrol was unbearable.
Peter urged the authorities concerned to address the problem in the interest of peace and national development.
“It is uncalled for and unfortunate that fuel scarcity has resurfaced in the country. I had to pay N700 from Lafia to Keffi today instead of the usual N500 charged by motorists.
“When will all these acts of sharp practices and hoarding stop in this country? ’’ he asked.
Peter urged the Federal Government to take stiff measures against petroleum dealers and marketers who hoard the products in order to reduce the untold hardship suffered by Nigerians.
He said that this would prevent re-occurrence and serve as a deterrent to others.
Another commuter, Mr Ahmed Abubakar, called on the Federal Government to quickly address the plight of the citizens.
“We do not know those who want to perpetuate or are behind the scarcity of petroleum products; I support that they should be sanctioned.
“Sanctioning independent marketers selling above government approved price of N86.50 would not only serve as a deterrent to others but would also boost the socio-economic development of the country,’’ Abubakar said.
A resident of Keffi, Mrs Esther Nicodemus, appealed to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to seal all filling stations selling above the official pump price.