Less than two months before the federal elections, Nigerians are becoming more concerned as the fuel shortage worsens.
Since Monday, January 16, 2023, there has been an increase in petrol shortage across the nation, as large queues have been seen, in
Lagos and Port Harcourt amongst other places.
The few filling stations, particularly those of independent marketers, that dispense the commodity on Monday sold between N170 per liter and N250 per liter in Lagos. while other states, like Rivers State, were sold between 300 and 350. Endless queues kept increasing all around Nigeria as fuel scarcity kept worsening which has caused intense traffic in major cities such as Lagos and Port Harcourt and has left Nigerians stranded on the road. It has also led to a thriving market for black market traders, who have continued to make excess profits from the situation. The high cost of transportation and the hike in the price of goods has made the cost of living high for Nigerians.
The Punch Newspaper quoted the Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Abuja-Suleja zone, Mohammed Shuaibu, as having said that the hike in prices is a result of the scarcity. He said that if fuel is in surplus at stations, the price would be forced to go down.
The country’s general elections are scheduled to take place in the next 35 days. Nigerians have grown increasingly concerned about the effect of fuel scarcity on the general election if it is not treated with immediate effect.
A survey by RateCaptain showed that Nigerians are worried about what the situation will look like in the coming weeks, especially during the general election.
Ebuka, who resides in Lagos State, told RateCaptain that the cost of transportation from where he registered to vote is double the price due to the fuel scarcity, and he is not sure if he will have the money to pay for transport in order to cast his vote. He said, “I pray that the fuel will be circulated before the start of the general election so that I can go back to my hometown to cast my vote.”
“This experience is too harsh on us. “Nigerians are suffering; I am not even thinking about the general election right now; I am thinking on how to survive and feed my family,” a trader at the boundary market in Lagos called Mrs. Bolu told RateCaptain.
Residents in Port Harcourt, River States’ capital, are furious about the situation caused by fuel scarcity.
Mr. Valentine Nyaira informs RateCaptain that the cost of transportation has increased, causing the price of goods to rise. His exact words were, “I barely feed myself and my family because of the increase in the price of foodstuffs. Even on election day, I will have to go to work because if I don’t work, I won’t eat.”
Mr. Chibuike, an intra-state transporter, told RateCaptain that he had been out of business for a week due to the lack of fuel and could barely feed himself. He also said that he would make sure he cast his vote so that a better Nigeria could be achieved.
As the fuel scarcity stills persist, Nigerians are still hoping it will come to an end.
