As the fuel scarcity bites harder on motorists, the queues in fueling stations in Kano has seemed to grow longer, without any hope in sight. Motorists who prefer to get the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) without joining queues have to pay a minimum of N1,200 or N1,300 for a five lire gallon of petrol from black marketers.Â
Daily News24 reports that queues are visible from the early hours of 6 am. While some fueling stations have the commodity with an avalanche of buyers waiting to purchase PMS, other fueling stations are empty, with no business activity.
Mr Bolaji Owolabi, a Kano resident, explained that to beat the long queues in the metropolis, he had to travel out of the city to get fuel without any hassle. However, he had to pay N200 for a litre of petrol.
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“I had to travel as far as Bunkure local government area to get fuel, and I got it at N200 per litre in a fueling station because it has been difficult to get fuel in the metropolis. The fuel scarcity is still on, and the commodity is not easy to get and seriously to speak, the fuel scarcity is far from over.” He said.
Buying from the black market
Daily News24 reported that black marketers have taken advantage of the fuel scarcity and are cashing out big time, as a litre of fuel sells for about N260. However, there isn’t a uniform price when the black marketer sells the commodity.
Since the fuel scarcity started, Mr Ismail Mohammed, a tricycle operator, didn’t patronise any fueling station because he believed it was a waste of time. Since PMS is readily available at the black market, he opted for it. However, the high cost of the commodity at the black market forced him to queue for fuel in a filling station.
“At the black market, I used to buy a five-litre keg of fuel for about 1,200 or 1,300 because the price isn’t stable. Since the scarcity started, I didn’t want to waste my time queuing for fuel, but I am today. I hope that I will get fuel from this petrol station because I have been here for a few hours. We are sad about the unending queues.” He stated.
Mr Mohammed further called on the federal government to see that long queues are no more in the country. “We are suffering,” he said.
Comparing the queues in Kano to other states
While some motorists complained that the queues seemed to be unending, some motorists noted that even though the situation hits hard on all states in Nigeria, Kano seems to be in a slightly better situation.
Mallam Lawan Lukman, a tricycle operator, told Daily News24 that he still buys petrol for N165 per litre, adding that even if the queues are long, it cannot be compared to the situation in Lagos, Abuja and others.
He said, “Well, we are also experiencing difficulties accessing petrol in Kano, but since we are buying at the approved price of N165 per litre at fueling stations here in town, I think our case is different from others in Lagos, Abuja and the likes. Alhamdulilah there are still queues, but we have to wait for about an hour or maybe two hours before getting petrol. ”
Mr Ifeanyi Ameachi, a motorist, believes that the situation in Kano state is little compared to that of other states in the southern part of Nigeria. He is hopeful that the situation will be under control in a bit of time.
“Since we are getting the commodity in Kano and only have to spend like an hour or two sometimes to get the product, I think our case is better than what those in other states are facing. This week is a bit better than last week. I usually queue for like an hour or maybe an hour and thirty minutes before getting fuel in the fueling stations. Mr Ifeanyi said.
Commuters lament the hike in transport fares
As observed by Daily News 24, public transport operators have increased transportation fares due to the unending scarcity of petrol. Commuters are now feeling the heat of fuel scarcity.
Musa Dodo, a Kano resident, said, “From Gadan lado to Bata is now N150 when I used to pay N80 before. Now we all have to add more money to our usual fares, which is painful. This fuel scarcity is affecting everybody. How are we going to survive? In fact, I don’t just know what to say again.” Mr Musa exclaimed.
Leah Yunusa, a kano resident, said getting tricycles sometimes could be pretty challenging, and whenever she gets any, the transportation fare is always higher than her usual fare. “I don’t blame the tricycle operators because it isn’t their fault. I blame the government and those marketers who are seemingly hoarding fuel to cause artificial scarcity. People are suffering,” Ms Yunusa expressed.
