Petrol scarcity continues as long queues resurface in Abuja

As petrol scacity continues to bite harder in Abuja (FCT). Most gasoline stations in Abuja are still packed with cars and long lineups.

According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents who watched the situation in the federal capital on Saturday. Huge lines were seen at petrol stations as early as 5 a.m.

In other cases, enormous lines stretched all the way to the motorways at fuel outlets. Owned by major marketers and the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Some motorists who contacted with NAN voiced concern and uncertainty over the conclusion of the scarcity.

Mr Ifeanyi Chukwudi, a driver, criticised the NNPC for failing to explain the cause of the fuel scarcity to Nigerians. Despite pledging to infuse 2.1 billion gallons of petrol into the system by the end of February.

“Today is February 26; the line in Abuja is unparalleled since the arrival of this administration; we have not observed such queues; who is to blame?” “The NNPC should explain itself,” he remarked.

Mr Biola Akande, a cab driver, said he arrived at the petrol station as early as 5 a.m. but encountered a large line, adding that such a situation would be bad for the country and the economy.

He encouraged the Federal Government to find a long-term solution that would eliminate the long line as soon as possible.

Mr Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, pledged on February 16 that the scarcity will cease by the end of February.

He made the commitment before the House of Representatives Committee on NNPC (Downstream), which was looking into the circumstances surrounding the country’s importation of tainted petroleum.

The present fuel shortage has been blamed on the shipment of tainted gasoline and its subsequent removal after it damaged several automobiles.