Fuel scarcity: Long queues diminish in FCT filling stations

Most filling stations in Abuja on Thursday witnessed short queues of motorists desperate to buy petrol in spite of efforts being made by the NNPC to stabilise the situation.

A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicated that most of the independent marketers were not selling while the NNPC outlets and some major marketers dispensed the products.

Some of the filling stations visited on the Kubwa Express Road, included Oando, Umarata, Gegu, Conoil, MRS, AA Rano, NNPC and Mobil.

Others visited at the Central Business District, Area 3, Garki and Apo were Total, NNPC mega station, Forte oil and Conoil.

NAN reports that most of the stations that were selling the product had long queues of over two kilometres stretch as at noon.

One of the workers at the NNPC mega station who asked for anonymity, told NAN that though the queues were long, it was better managed than what was witnessed in the previous week.

“I think things will normalise soon. Before now, people slept here but within a maximum of two hours, people can buy products now.

“We organise the lines and we do not allow any form of sharp practice,’’ he said.

Mr Abdul Fatah, a motorist, said that it was unfortunate that government was not able to meet up to the promise of solving the problem by April 7.

“Well, I will say this week is better because last week, I slept at the filling station before I was able to buy but today, at least, I have spent less than an hour. There is hope with the way things are going now,’’ he said.

Also, another motorist, Mrs Agnes Lugbe, pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with the government.

“Leadership is not easy. I think the minister is working hard to ensure that things improve and for me, I think things have really improved.

“Couple of days back, people slept days and some spent over 48 hours before they could get petrol to buy.

“ I am optimistic that it will all calm down soon; let’s forget about the date the minister gave,’’ she said.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, had said government had to take the right policies to see that things were done well.

“I hope that queues in Abuja must have cleared; hopefully the same thing will happen in Lagos.

“By weekend, we will see same in Sokoto, Port-Harcourt, Warri and others,’’ he said.

Kachikwu had reassured that queues would disappear in Abuja and Lagos filling stations by April 7.