Long queues of cars surface in Damaturu as petrol scarcity bites

Long queue of cars surfaced at NNPC MEGA station Damaturu , Yobe state capital and some parts of the state on Monday, causing motorists and passengers to be stranded at some of the bus stops in the state capital.

New Express gathered that some of the stranded passengers could not understand what was going on as they got to their bus stops intending to go to their offices and business but found the situation.

When newsmen tried to nose around what was the cause of the long queues some motorists said it was due to fuel scarcity. It was gathered that the development caused hike in transportation fares. Some operators of commercial motorbike and tricycle (KEKE NAPEPE) told newsmen that they had to increase fares to recover the cost they bought the fuel.

They said: “as a result of the fuel scarcity, motorist and Keke napep operators are buying a litre of the commodity at  some of the filling stations at the cost of N175 instead of N160.

They said: “A gallon of petrol costs N1500 instead of N800 in the black market.

Lamenting the situation motorist and commuters who spoke to newsmen in Damaturu said it was shocking to find themselves paying double cost of transportation they were not prepared for.

They decried what they called artificial fuel scarcity being experienced in the town.

It was further gathered that commuters in Damaturu were worse affected by the scarcity. However, the situation was normal in Potiskum and other places according to our Reporter.

In Potiskum, there is availability of fuel in most of the petrol stations, but sold at the cost of N166 per litre.

Following the development residents of Yobe have appealed to the state governor, Mai Mala Buni, to revive the state task force on petroleum products to check the activities of blackmarketeers and those creating artificial scarcity of petrol in the state. One of those who made the appeal is Mallam A.H Abuja. He told our Reporter that the state government should rise to the occasion and stop the activities of unpatriotic citizens of the state, adding that the scarcity is causing them pains.

Also speaking when newsmen contacted him is secretary of the National Association of Road Transport Owners in the state, Alhaji Ahmed . he said they were aware of the situation, but assured the people that they were working to address the situation.

Also, Damaturu Emirate Council has condemned what it described as deliberate closure of filling stations in the state capital.

A statement issued by Ibrahim Wadaima of Damaturu’s Emirate, Baba Aji  Baitu Damaturu,

on behalf of the Emir,  Alhaji Shehu Hashimi 2 ibn Umar Al-Amin  Elkanemi , made it clear  that the Emirate council has summoned a stakeholders meeting of the Emirate council in order to discuss the genesis of the fuel scarcity, saying that the Royal fathers gave an instruction for immediate opening of the filling stations.