Residents in Lagos State have continued to complain about the hardships they are facing due to the shortage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as “petrol,” which has gotten worse in the final days of January 2023.
Despite the government’s repeated claims, it had enough petroleum products in stock, the scarcity has persisted amid the scarcity of the new naira notes across the country, making life difficult for many motorists and residents.
RateCaptain analyst monitored the filling stations on Tuesday and reported that long queues of vehicles were seen at all the stations that have the petroleum product all across Lagos.
Total Energies Filing Station was seen with long queues of vehicles on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, causing terrible traffic along the axis. The situation is also worse along Apapa Elengaza Road, as only one filing station is seen selling petroleum products,
While along Lawson Road at Surulere, queues were seen at the AP filing station and Total energies filling stations.
Many motorists expressed dissatisfaction over the non-availability of the product, adding that the situation was frustrating and demoralizing as they normally stay over the next day to get fuel.
Mr. Samson Austin, a fuel attendant, appealed to the government to find a lasting solution to the crisis. He said that the queues had become too long because not enough product was in circulation.
Mr. Ako, a bus driver, stated that the scarcity is so severe that he is forced to purchase fuel in black markets at a higher price, forcing him to raise the price of his service. He also pleaded with the federal government to make a commendable decision to resolve it as soon as possible.
“I now pay more to transport my goods from the market to my house, which has made me increase the price of some of my products.” Miss Rita said.
The situation must be addressed as soon as possible; otherwise, inflation will rise, as will transportation costs, which will raise the prices of goods and services. The government should take extra measures to regulate the distribution of the product across the country, RateCaptain suggested.
