Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, is currently grappling with a severe fuel scarcity, as evidenced by the emergence of long queues at petrol stations across different parts of the city. The scarcity has triggered traffic congestion in several areas, exacerbating the inconvenience for commuters and commercial drivers.
Numerous filling stations have been forced to close their gates or contend with extensive lines of vehicles awaiting their turn to purchase fuel. At the Fynefield filling station in Apo Resettlement, for instance, access was restricted as gates remained locked, preventing new vehicles from entering.
One of the contributing factors to the lengthy queues is the popularity of retail outlets operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, which offer fuel at lower prices compared to other stations. However, even these outlets are struggling to manage the overwhelming demand, leading to worsening queues and traffic snarls in the Central Business District Area.
Meanwhile, other filling stations across the city have resorted to selling fuel at elevated prices ranging from N617 to N680, exacerbating the financial burden on consumers.
The situation has also given rise to black market activities, with opportunistic sellers exploiting the scarcity to peddle fuel at inflated prices to desperate buyers. The root cause of the fuel scarcity remains undetermined, further compounding the frustrations of residents and motorists.
In response to public concerns, Olufemi Soneye, spokesperson for NNPC Ltd, sought to allay fears by affirming that there is an abundance of fuel products available, and there is no need for alarm. However, the persistent queues and escalating prices underscore the urgency of addressing the underlying issues to mitigate the impact of the fuel scarcity on the populace.
