Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
In the midst of the nation’s economic hardship, sources of livelihood in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, appear to be jeopardized due to the persistent scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol.
A check by a reporter correspondent on Saturday revealed that, while some fuel stations remain closed due to a lack of product, some of the stations along Zuba are selling for more than N250 per litre, making transportation difficult for residents.
The long lines at most fuel stations in the territory are concerning, as motorists continue to complain about the difficulty in obtaining the product.
According to the Federal Government, the two-week-old queue was caused by flooding that rendered roads in Lokoja, Kogi State, impassable.
According to Track News, several civil servants and other commuters were stranded on Friday due to a lack of available transportation.
The development also resulted in an obvious increase in fare, exacerbating the hardship already imposed on residents by the economic realities of the African Giant.
Mary Achingwa, a Federal Radio Corporation employee, told our correspondent that she has been paying triple her usual fare to get to work every day since the queue resurfaced earlier this month.
“Things are just getting harder every day,” she said. We were complaining about how expensive transportation is in Abuja, not realizing that the worst was about to happen.
“Since the beginning of the fuel crisis, we have spent three times what we used to spend before arriving at work, which is extremely discouraging.” Worst of all, the cost of everything continues to rise while wages remain stagnant.”
According to Track News, the distance from Dutse Alhaji to Area 1 is now N500 and above, while the distance from Dei-Dei to Berger and Wuse, which was previously N300 and N400, is now N500 and above.
Mr Olawale, a town service driver, told our correspondent that most drivers buy fuel on the black market for N500 per litre, emphasizing that it is impossible to maintain normal prices after purchasing the product for such a low price.
“The thing is, how much are we making?” he asked. It affects all of us. When I buy fuel at N500 per litre instead of N150, you should be aware that the transportation fare cannot be the same.”
Our correspondent also learned that many shops, mostly in the territory’s outskirts, are closing due to a lack of gasoline to power their various business activities.
Barbershops, computer centers, shoe factories, and other private establishments that rely heavily on generators for customer service are closing down in Dutse Alhaji, Dei-Dei, Kubwa, Lugbe, and other parts of the city.
Mr Chinedu Peters, a resident who runs the Cyber Cafe in Kubwa, said he decided to close his business because he couldn’t afford fuel.
“In this part of the city, we don’t trust public power supply, so we operate with generators, and now we can’t power it anymore due to fuel issues,” he explained. I was in line from morning until night yesterday, and I came home without fuel.
“How much are we making that we can afford to buy this black market if I say let me buy it?” I just told my employees to take it easy for a few days, and hopefully it will pass soon.”
However, during a media briefing a few days ago, Engr Adeyemi Adetunji, group executive director, Downstream, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd, announced the arrival of 146 truckloads of petrol into the capital.
“146 petroleum tanker trucks have arrived at the depot for delivery to Abuja and the surrounding areas.”
“Trucks continue to arrive at the depot for further dispatch.” “With improved vehicular movements northwards, product delivery to other parts of the country is also continuing,” Adetunji said.
