Fuel Scarcity Bites Hard in Calabar as Black Market Price Soars

Fuel scarcity has hit Calabar, leaving most filling stations under lock and key while residents scramble for alternatives.

A check around the metropolis showed that several fuel stations were shut, forcing many residents to patronize black market sellers. Prices, however, varied sharply. Some vendors were seen selling a litre of petrol for as high as ₦1,700, while others pegged theirs at ₦1,600 and ₦1,500 respectively.

Taxi drivers lamented the hardship caused by the scarcity, with some claiming they now spend up to ₦18,000 to ₦20,000 daily just to fuel their vehicles. The development, according to them, is already taking a toll on transportation fares and their ability to make profit.

A driver, who gave his name as Emmanuel Etim, said:

“I used to buy ₦10,000 fuel and work comfortably for the day, but now I spend nothing less than ₦18,000 to ₦20,000. At the end of the day, there’s little or nothing left for me.”

Residents fear that if the situation persists, the cost of living in Calabar will further skyrocket, given that transportation plays a major role in daily economic activities.