Fuel queue worsens as petrol sells for N300 per litre in Ibadan

• A resident of Oke-Ogun area of the state who spoke to newsmen said that scarcity of petrol was biting harder in the area

• It was gathered that while most filling stations shut their doors to consumers, virtually all BOVAS outlets are selling for motorists at the official rate of N180 per litre.

• A few other marketers, which also opened their outlets were, however selling at higher pump prices of between N190 and N250 per litre. But most filling stations are closed.

Motorists and commuters are having a hard time as gridlock caused by fuel queues hinder free vehicular movement in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Sanni Olatunde, an employee of a private company, said no one could explain the cause of the fuel scarcity.

He said the situation had been a source of concern as every aspect of work life had been affected.

It was gathered that while most filling stations shut their doors to consumers, virtually all BOVAS outlets are selling for motorists at the official rate of N180 per litre.

A few other marketers, which also opened their outlets were, however selling at higher pump prices of between N190 and N250 per litre. But most filling stations are closed.

A resident of Oke-Ogun area of the state who spoke to newsmen said that scarcity of petrol was biting harder in the area.

He said a litre is sold for N270 at filling stations in the Oyo North senatorial district.

Opeyemi Oyewole, a doctoral student at the University of Ibadan, said the scarcity had affected fares and further worsened individuals’ already bad economic situation.

“The amount of money I spend on transportation has increased by 50 per cent,” she said. “It is also difficult to get commercial vehicles to one’s destination as most of them are either stuck in fuel stations or looking for fuel elsewhere.”

Also, Sola Famakinwa, another resident, said the situation was getting worse by the day and wondered why the government was not saying anything.

Chris Mimiola, a civil servant, said he had been at a fuel station for four hours without the hope of getting fuel.

“There is no electricity. Petrol that people use to power their generators is also getting out of reach. We need a speedy response from the government,’’ Mr Mimiola said.