By Mustapha Usman, Kano
Long queues of vehicles have resurfaced at filling stations in Kano metropolis as fuel scarcity hit the state.
DAILY NIGERIAN observed that majority of filling stations of both major and independent marketers in the commercial city were closed on Friday, while long queues characterised the stations that have the commodity.
At Sharada area, it was observed that only two filling stations, Aliko Petroleum and Ihsan Oil Company, that were selling petrol amidst rowdy atmosphere.
Other stations along the area, including the popular A.A. Rano station were shut down.
A motorist, Nafiu Bello, said he went round many filling stations to buy petrol on Thursday but found them locked, expressing fears that the problem of fuel scarcity is back.
“Let me tell you that I drove from Ibrahim Taiwo Road up to Hotoro NNPC mega station but couldn’t find a filling station that was selling fuel. This situation has thrown me into panic because we suffered a lot last year when we spent about a year in that hardship,” he said.
Another motorist identified as Muntari said, “I never thought I would spend an hour in a filling station after the problem of fuel scarcity had been resolved by Buhari’s government. I am sad that I am staying longer to get fuel, which up to this moment I have not been served,”
“We call on the government to swiftly intervene in order to address the problem before it goes out of hand.”
Commenting on the development, the chairman of the Kano branch of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Bashir Danmallam, attributed the problem to the increase in petroleum price at the Warri, Port Harcourt and Lagos.
He also cited the increase in price of diesel and its scarcity as another reason for the petroleum crisis.
According to him, the petroleum dealers are now buying the product at N140 per litre instead of the official price N133.28 per litre.
He added that it would not be possible for them to sell the product at the N145 official pump price while they spend N13 per litre transportation fee and other contingencies.
“This is why we decided to stop buying the product until the price is reversed. We told our people to shut down the filling stations if they finish selling their products as we can’t continue buying it at these exorbitant prices.” He said
“We call on NNPC and DPR to intervene and direct the PPMC to sell the product to us at the former price of N133.28. They should meet and force them to reverse the price,” he added.
