Scores of motorists in Ondo State have continued to decry the lingering scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol, and the hike in the price of the commodity by marketers.

Oluwaseun Ogunmola, one of the motorists, told the media that it took him six hours on a queue before getting petrol for his car.

“I have been in the queue since 6am. You can imagine the hardship I passed through. Imagine getting this at N350 per litre,” he lamented.

Another motorist, Mr Ayodele Adelaide, expressed displeasure that fuel was not available despite the fluctuating pump price.

Further findings revealed that many of the filling stations, especially, in Akure were not selling the product as their gates were under lock and key.

The few available ones selling had long queues as motorists struggled to the product for their vehicles.

It was discovered that some of them were selling between N300 and N400 per litre, especially independent marketers.

Some petrol stations on the outskirts of Akure sold the product between N500 and N600, especially for stranded travellers plying the inter-state routes.

The development has further caused a hike in the cost of transportation across major towns of the state.

Commercial drivers in the state charged N150 per drop as opposed to N50 and N100 before the scarcity of petrol.

One of the passengers, Iyabo Omowunmi, while lamenting the high price, said, “It’s very frustrating. I can’t imagine paying double for fares now while going to the office. The government should find a solution to this urgently.”

In a brief chat with the reporter, the chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Ondo State, Mr Sina Amao, said the issue was beyond them.

“The issue (fuel scarcity) on the ground is beyond us. The problem started with the distribution of the product, and even as I speak, there is a limit in stock.

“We are buying at the rate of N290 per litre, with N20 for transportation at landing cost. So, you can see that now our major problem is the NNPC’: they don’t even have the product in stock.

“And another issue is that they’re working towards the removal of fuel subsidy. So, don’t be surprised that commoners would still pay higher prices to get the product,” he added.

(Daily Trust: Text, excluding headline)

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