FUEL SCARCITY IN NIGERIA

The scarcity and power outage have affected businesses negatively, leading to a significant increase in the cost of doing business across all sectors of the economy, thereby worsening the poverty situation among the masses.

Already, many flights, both domestic and international, were cancelled over the weekend due to the scarcity of aviation fuel. Arik and Aero Contractors were the major airlines that cancelled their flights yesterdaty; Transport fares have also been hiked by over 300 per cent and businesses shut down due to fuel shortages to power their operations, just as the cost of certain goods and services have skyrocketed.Also, workers are finding it difficult and very expensive commuting to and from their places of work on a daily basis while the few who still drive to their offices spend a large chunk of their income on petrol. the persistent fuel scarcity witnessed over the last couple of months is the worst in the history of Nigeria, adding that Nigerians have never had it so tough like this before.some have pointed this to the transition (change in power) we cannot tell how true this is.

One of the respondents urged the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to call for a nationwide strike until the fuel situation is addressed.

In Lagos, only the Capital Oil outlets with a handful of independent filling stations were seen dispensing fuel.

In Abuja, all the petrol stations in town were shut down, while many of those around the Gwagwalada area were dispensing the product at between N150 and N170 per litre.

Also, majority of the petrol stations after Mararaba in Nasarawa State, were selling the commodity at between N150 and N170 per litre with large number of motorists struggling to purchase the product despite the high cost.

Black marketers, who are the major source of petrol for 95 per cent of motorists and households also hiked their prices, selling at between N250 and N300 per litre.