The queues for petrol have gone worse in some parts of the country especially in Ibadan, Oyo state and Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday and Monday had a gruelling experience over the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Long queues were sighted at some fuel stations across the capital city while many others left their gate shut, an indication that they were either out of supply or not selling.
When newsmen moved around town from Akobo to Ojoo and other parts of Ibadan, including Bashorun, Idi-Ape, Iwo Road, Total Garden, Bodija, Mokola, Monatan, Agbowo, Eleyele, Ologuneru, Challenge, Molete, Oke-Ado and Oje, the story was the same.
Many commuters were stranded on Sunday and Monday as they had to trek long distances to their various destinations.
There were fewer vehicles on the road and the excruciating traffic snarl associated with the General Gas Area of Akobo, Aleshinloye/Railway Junction, Mokola Roundabout, Adamasingba, Dugbe, Sango Poly Junction, Amuoloko, Olorunsogo, Akanran, Orita-Aperin, and Elekuro, disappeared on Monday morning.
It was observed that fuel black market had returned with young men seen selling the commodity in gallons at Sabo area of Mokola on Monday.
Majority of major and independent marketers of PMS were closed.
Those who dispensed sold between N165 and N200 per litre.
It sold for as high as N250 and N300 per litre in the black market.
But Commissioner for Public Works and Transportation Prof Dawud Sangodoyin described the situation in Ibadan as artificial scarcity.
Speaking while featuring on a radio programme monitored in Ibadan, the Commissioner alleged that many of the major and independent marketers have the commodity but are only hoarding it.
Motorists besieged the few outlets that were open for business in the FCT.
Some of the motorists say they spend as much as five hours to access fuel.
This comes against the backdrop of speculations that the pump price of petrol may be increased.
However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) insists that there is no increment in the ex-depot price of petrol.
The Corporation also stated that it has enough stock of petrol to keep the nation well supplied for over 40 days and therefore, urged motorists to avoid panic buying.
