Motorists lament as petrol lineups return in Abuja

Queues for Premium Motor Spirit, which most people call gasoline, started up again in Abuja on Tuesday, causing drivers to complain about the constant lack of PMS in the Federal Capital Territory since this year.

Near the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, there were two gas stations called Conoil and Total, where drivers patiently waited in long lines to buy gasoline.

Again, black market sellers of the good showed up on major roads in Abuja to sell their goods to drivers who were interested. They charged as much as N2,500 to N3,000 for a 10-liter gallon of the product.

“It happens again and again in Abuja. We can’t go three or four months in Abuja without having to wait in line for gas, which is worrying, said Gbenga Timothy, a driver who was in line for gas at the Conoil filling station.

Another FCT resident, Umar, said he purchased the substance in one of Abuja’s satellite towns for N300 per liter.

In the morning I stopped at a gas station in Kubwa and filled up at N300 per liter. I had no choice but to buy from them because waiting in line at the place where it is offered for N175/liter would take at least an hour, he explained.

Garba-Deen Mohammed, NNPC’s official spokesman, has not yet responded to an inquiry over Tuesday’s resurgence of gasoline shortages in the nation’s capital.

For over four years, NNPC has been Nigeria’s only source of imported gasoline. Oil distributors stopped bringing in the item because they couldn’t get their hands on foreign currency easily.

A marketer, who asked not to be identified for lack of permission, said, “I think there is a small interruption in supply and this will be remedied swiftly, because I doubt if there is product scarcity in terms of imports by NNPC.”

Another statement from the advertiser read: “We observed it this morning and we are monitoring the situation and will share more information about it shortly.” To the contrary, I don’t think anyone should worry or make any rash purchases.

Join our 100,000+ members and never miss our members’ exclusive Breaking News and Entertainment Gist.
Gain Access to Our Private News Room

• Meta promotes Reels monetization through innovative ad formats.
• Meta promotes Reels monetization through innovative ad formats.
• What we shall do otherwise – ASUU faction, CONUA