Nigerians have been thrown into panic following the re-emergence of long queues at fuel stations in parts of the country.
The situation, amid rumour of hike in pump price of petrol, sparked fear that the festive season could be marred by scarcity of the product.
In Abuja, many motorists who closed from work yesterday were unable to buy fuel, as many stations were shut.
At about 8 p.m., there was a long queue at the NNPC retail station along Kubwa Expressway that kept motorists waiting for hours.
According to The Guardian, one buyer, Alabi Ajibola, said: “Most fuel stations have closed. I have been on the queue for about two hours. This should not be at this Christmas period.”
Also, Haruna Bashir, a commercial driver, said his side mirror was destroyed as he jostled to buy fuel. He disclosed that he had visited more than five stations before trying his luck at the NNPC retail station.
In Sokoto, marketers have increased the pump price to N150 per litre.
Queues were longer at NNPC mega stations and others operated by major marketers, as they maintained the official price of N145 but were reluctant to sell to motorists.
The scarcity began Saturday evening in Kano, leaving many filing stations owned by independent marketers shut.
The few stations opened along Zaria, Zoo, BUK, and Murtala Mohammed Roads had long queues.
In Lagos, there were lengthy queues at filling stations on the popular Awolowo Road in Ikoyi and at Airport Road.
But the NNPC reiterated that there was no plan to increase fuel price.
In a statement, Ndu Ughamadu, the corporation’s Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, said there was no plan to increase prices at the ex-depot level and pump price ahead of the Yuletide.
Ughamadu said the ex-depot petrol price of N133.38 per litre and pump price of N143/N145 per litre had not changed.
He assured the public that the corporation had enough to ensure seamless supply and distribution of products across the country, especially during the Yuletide.
He urged motorists and other users of petroleum products to disregard trending rumours of an impending fuel price hike.
“The NNPC has the full commitment of all downstream stakeholders, including petroleum marketers and industry unions, to cooperate in achieving zero fuel scarcity this season and beyond.
“We enjoin motorists not to engage in panic buying or indulge in the dangerous practice of stocking petroleum products in jerry cans at home.
“The Petroleum Products Marketing Company and NNPC Retail Limited are fully geared up to ensure that motorists enjoy uninterrupted access to petrol throughout the nation,’’ Ughamadu said.
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