Fuel Scarcity Paralyse Economic Activities in Calabar As a Litre of Petrol Sells for 1,300
By Benjamin Gbor with Agency Report
The metropolitan city of Calabar has recently been hit by a severe fuel scarcity, causing widespread disruption across various sectors. Long queues have been reported at fuel stations, with some stations completely running out of fuel even as petrol stations as dispensing product at between N591 and N1, 300 per litre.
Residents of Calabar have lamented the continuous scarcity of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) which has resulted to extraordinary long queues at fuel stations in the city.
When our reporter visited two Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) fuel stations, it was observed that even though the stations were not selling the product as at the time of this report the queues were already too long.
At the NNPC station in Stadium Junction, some of the motorists who were on the queue as early as 3. 00am said it was heart wrenching that even though the product was discharged on Monday, the stations are still not selling it.
According to reports from some fuel stations, the scarcity is due to a combination of factors, including supply chain disruptions, logistical challenges, and increasing demand. As a result, many people are struggling to obtain fuel for their daily activities.
Public transportation systems have been particularly affected as many minibuses and taxis are unable to operate, leading to astronomical hike in transportation fares within the city.
Some taxi drivers, who spoke off record, expressed their frustration, saying, "the struggle to get fuel lately is real. You have to wake up as early as 3 a.m. to go to a fuel station, and even then, there’s no guarantee you'll get fuel, as the attendants may decide not to sell for reasons only known to them."
Businesses, especially those that rely on fuel for operations, have also been impacted. Delivery services, small-scale manufacturers, and even agricultural activities have slowed down, raising concerns about a potential rise in the cost of goods and services.
A computer operator at Goodie, John Akpan, expressed his frustration, saying, "I haven't been able to do anything for days because I can't get fuel, and there hasn't been any power supply either."
A dispatch rider, who also requested anonymity, added that “to get fuel now, you need connections. You can wait in line for hours, and someone who just arrived will get fuel and leave while you're still waiting. The station attendants aren't helping either."
Mrs. Agnes, a peasant farmer, shared her struggles: "I have a farm at Akpabio, but because of the high cost of transportation caused by this fuel scarcity, I haven’t been able to go to the farm to get food for my family. Even buying food here has become unaffordable, as the prices of goods and services have gone up due to the fuel scarcity."
A motorist, Mr. Johnson Effiong, said he was informed by someone that the product was being discharged on Monday and he came very at about 3 a.m. yet at about 9.a.m. on Tuesday morning they were yet to commence selling the product.
"The workers are all here yet the product is not being sold, we don't know why even though there is a confirmation that the product is available. Sometimes when they decide to sell, they sell for few hours and tell you that the product is finished because they want to reserve the one they will sell to black marketers at night at an unofficial price," he said.
Similarly a Mini-bus driver, Mr. Matthew Archibong said he was on the queue at the NNPC station at the Murtalla Mohammed Highway but after hours of waiting the station managers announced that the product would not be sold.
"On hearing that information, I left that place to queue up at the NNPC fuel station in Stadium yet the product is not being sold, we are just tired," he said.
Government officials have assured the public that efforts are being made to resolve the issue. However, the timeline for a return to normalcy remains unclear. In the meantime, citizens are being urged to conserve fuel where possible.
Mr. Robert Obi, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN), Cross River Chapter, could not be reached as at the time of filling this report.
