Many residents of Ekiti state are facing tough times over the scarcity of premium motor spirit, also known as petrol, across major towns and cities in the state.
The Nigerian Tribune observed that most of the fuel stations in the state, especially the state capital, were under lock and key, thereby making the situation terrifying for the people, mostly motorists.
Only a handful of these filling stations are dispensing the product at higher prices, between N750 and N900 per litre, with long queues of cars and motorcycles.
It was also gathered that, despite a few black market spots, the product was sold for between N1200 and N1500 per litre
The development has crippled business and commercial activities in the state, as many taxi drivers and motorcyclists have disappeared from the roads.
The few ones operating are charging exorbitant prices for trips and drops.
Our correspondent, who observed the situation across major areas around Ado-Ekiti at the weekend, saw the hardship faced by the people, with many residents trekking long distances.
A resident, Tope Adelabu, lamented that the situation has gotten worse over the last two days, noting that transportation fares have increased astronomically.
He alleged that some of the petrol station owners were hoarding the product and called on the government task force to move around all the filling stations in order to sanction the erring ones.
According to him, the resumption of schoolchildren for the third term slated for Monday, workers, and other activities might be affected if something urgent is not done to address the situation.
He said, “What we are witnessing now as regards this gasoline is not palatable at all, and something should be done as quickly as possible.
“I think you can see now that we have fewer vehicles and motorcycles on the road because fuel is not available. Even if it is going to be expensive, let it be available to all.
“A place where motorcycles took the N200 before is now between the N500 and the N600, and that is affecting all sectors.”
On his part, a community leader, Adekola Olowolafe, accused the federal and state governments of not showing concern for the plights of the citizens.
He noted that the governor, Biodun Oyebanji, should be decisive amidst the hardships being faced by the residents in ensuring that stations hoarding the product sell to the people.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ekiti state council, under the chairmanship of Kayode Babatuyi, has condemned the increasing fuel scarcity in the state, adding that the situation is affecting the economic and social activities in the state.
A communiqué released after its monthly congress at the weekend explained that few petrol stations were hoarding the fuel to sell at higher prices in the future, calling on the state government to move in and secure the situation in the interest of the suffering residents.
The communiqué was drafted by the three-man committee comprising Comrade Yemisi Omotola (Chairman), Comrade Oyeniyi Kolajo, and Comrade Anthony Ojo (Member) and signed by the state secretary, O’Seun Ogunsakin.
The communique reads, “The Congress called on the State Government, particularly the Petroleum Task Force, to urgently intervene in the increasing return of queues and the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at highly exorbitant rates at different filling stations in the state, especially in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
“The Congress noted that the queues were a result of fuel hoarding by some filling stations.
“The Congress advised the government to investigate the cause of the scarcity and the queues, with a view to punishing those engaging in sharp practices at the detriment of the citizens.”
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