Nigerians lament fuel price hike, scarcity in Ibadan

Some residents in Ibadan metropolis have lamented the hike in the official pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and scarcity of the commodity in the state.

Our correspondent reports on Monday that while many fuel stations sell at N162, the official rate, the situation is not so in some fuel stations as fuel prices are between N180 and N200 per litre.

Mr Gbenga Ajenifuja, an Okada rider, lamented bitterly on the situation. “I have been to several filling stations before I could get fuel at Gastab Filling Station at the official rate.

“The situation was precarious over the weekend as some stations that opened sold above N160, while some even sold up to N200 per litre.”

Ajenifuja stressed that his means of livelihood and that of many others is being affected by the lingering PMS scarcity.

Mr Uche Obinna, a commercial driver said he spent the greater part of Monday morning on the queue to buy fuel.

“We don’t know why the situation persists, some filling stations who refused to sell fuel during the week suddenly opened for business at the weekend, only to sell at N180.”

“I bought fuel at N180 at FortOil around Sango area in Ibadan on Sunday,” he said.

Also, Mr Adewale Jelili, a civil servant said that government should expedite action towards curtailing the lingering fuel scarcity.

He said, “Some fuel stations sell to those who are into black market while some only sell into kegs and stop after a few sales”.

“We hope that the regulatory authorities are aware of various pranks going on and are up to the task.”

“The difficulty in getting fuel is increasing by the day and this should not be, considering what we read in the national dailies of what the government is doing concerning the situation.”

Reacting to the issue, Mrs Comfort Ajayi, Operations Controller, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authorities (NMDPRA), said the agency had been up and doing in its regulatory duties.

She noted that the staff of the agency had been going out to various areas in Oyo State up to Saki and Iseyin to ensure that filling stations sell not above the official rate.

“The situation is a general problem and while the Federal Government and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) are trying to resolve the issue, we are trying our best to ensure that filling stations sell at the official price.”

“I was out with our team last week and there was a particular station that I sealed.”

”Immediately we set out, they informed themselves and those selling above the official price adjusted their pumps, but the first one we entered, selling above the official rate, was sealed.”

“Many use weekends to perpetuate their evil, selling above the official rate and it is only the masses that can get such information for us and we will act on it. My number is on our website,” Ajayi said.

It was reported that few filling stations are open for business and are selling at the official rate at Ring Road, area Dugbe, Sango, Bodija and Ojoo expressway in Ibadan.