There were pockets of fuel queues today around Lagos, especially along the busy Agege motorway.
Our correspondent reported that all the filling stations stretching from Iyana Dopemu to Ikeja along except MRS and Heyden locked shops.
Some motorists that spoke with themorningstar.com.ng lamented the development, wondering when Nigeria will work for the citizens, especially with the streaming of the Dangote Refinery reputed to be the largest in Africa.
“I was driving from Ayobo en route GRA, Ikeja for a 10 am meeting at Radisson Blu. I noticed my fuel gauge indicator had fallen flat and the red light indicating low fuel too was showing brightly. Since the former Conoil filling station close to Cement Bus Stop transited to MRS, I have consistently been buying fuel from there. So when I saw about 10 cars queuing up for fuel, I promptly joined. Disgustingly, after about almost one hour wait on the queue, I was told fuel had finished. Then in faith, I continued the journey. The Nigerian National Petroleum Limited (NNPCL’s) filling station by Cement bus stop was under lock and key while another by Magoro Bus Stop also had no fuel.
“Faith sustained me till I got to Ile Zik where Heyden Filling station was opened and was dispensing fuel over N900 per litre. It took me another 30 minutes before I could buy fuel there. Frustration did not make me to check what was displayed at the pump. I just bought N30,000 fuel and left,” Mr Olowolola Kolapo said.
NNPCL had on Monday morning increased petrol price to N992 per litre from the previous N865 per litre.
No official reason has been given for this at the time of filing this report.
Across NNPC retail outlet visited, petrol attendants were seen adjusting their pumps to reflect the new price .
At NNPC filling station on Ogunusi road ,Ojodu Berger , petrol attendants at the station said they were instructed to change the price to reflect the new rate 992 per litre.
Motorists at the station lamented the increase.
A motorist who identified himself simply as Chukwudi , regretted that increase in price should always be communicated before hand to avoid confusion at the pumps.
“Deregulation should not be a Licence for price rascality because the public ought to be given advance notice of price change. This is rather unfortunate. Why are we like this in this country? A 12.5 kg of cooking gas is about N27,0000 in some communities. People are going back to the Stone Age where fire woods are used for cooking with the attendant health and environmental hazards. It is really disgusting,” he said.
However, checks at Ibafo along the Lagos /Ibadan expressway on Monday had shown that NNPC outlets still displayed the old price of N875 per litre, although they were not selling to commuters.
