Motorists and residents of Ekiti State have lamented the persisting scarcity of fuel in the state, News About Nigeria reports.
Speaking in an interview on Sunday, they expressed their disappointment and sadness in the state of the country, maintaining that the fuel situation has made life more difficult.
A motorist identified as Idowu Ayomide lamented that, despite the increase in the price of petrol, getting it still remains an uphill task.
“Even after the 710 naira new petroleum price, we still have to struggle, fight, and bribe the attendants before we can get fuel,” he stated.
Another motorist, who pleaded anonymity, lamented the fact that he has to spend almost the whole day queueing at different petrol stations and most times ends up not getting fuel.
According to him, this is making his day unproductive and at the end of the day, he goes home empty handed without any profit.
A resident, simply identified as Wumi, stated that the scarcity of fuel has resulted in the doubling of transport fares.
She said, “Transportation fares have doubled since this scarcity began and most times, even when you’re ready to pay the outrageous fees they call, you won’t see any means of transportation because they are all queued up at fuel stations. Then you have no option but to walk long distances. It is really frustrating.”
However, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, under the chairmanship of Kayode Babatuyi, expressed concern about the persisting scarcity and called on the State Governor to intervene.
In a communiqué, the Council urged the Petroleum Task Force to urgently intervene in the increasing return of queues and the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at highly exorbitant rates at different filling stations in the state.
They noted that the queues were a result of fuel hoarding by some filling stations, and called on the governor to punish those engaging in sharp practices to the detriment of the citizens.
