Fuel Scarcity Worsens in Northern States, Nigerians Groan as Prices Soar

A severe fuel scarcity has hit Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina states, leaving motorists stranded and frustrated. The scarcity has led to skyrocketing prices, with a liter of petrol selling for between N800 to N1000 in some areas.

“We are very dismayed as the obnoxious situation has negatively affected our activities,” said a motorist, Salisu Baso. “We don’t even know who is right now. Is it the government or the marketers? It is very unfortunate that they are just passing the buck.”

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Baso, a civil servant, lamented that he had to pay double the transport fare to reach his office at the Federal Secretariat, Kawo-Kaduna. “But, in whatever case, urgent action should be taken to redress the ugly situation that is jeopardising socio-economic activities in the country,” he added.

Mrs. Franscisca Idika, a trader at the Chechnya market in Kaduna, said the scarcity and soaring prices have badly affected her business. “I have to pay more now to reach the market, and we just have to increase the prices of our wares to break even,” she said.

Similar reports from Kano and Katsina states revealed endless queues and higher prices in the few operating filling stations. “We need the government to swing into action and do the needful to alleviate the suffering of the hapless Nigerians,” said Mr. Alao Jaremi, an IT expert in Katsina.

Malam Ibrahim Dan-Musa, in Kano, urged the authorities to take urgent measures to ensure the availability of petrol across the country. “We need the government to swing into action and do the needful to alleviate the suffering of the hapless Nigerians,” he said.

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) attributed the scarcity to disruption of ship-to-ship loading of petrol between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels due to a recent thunderstorm. However, oil marketers claimed they were unable to access the NNPCCL portal to place orders for the commodity.