By Sidi A. Umar
Sokoto
Fuel scarcity has resurfaced in Sokoto and its environs, creating untold hardship for motorists, Blueprint investigation has shown.
The scarcity which started last Friday resulted to long queues and has been worsened since Monday, with motorists resorting to panic buying from black marketers at rates between N 170 and N180 per litter, and N1,000 and N1,1oo per 5 litre gallon.
Investigations also showed that some independent marketers have reportedly hoarded the commodity, thinking that the government might increase the prices during the yuletide.
Our findings showed that the commodity was available at NNPC filling station along Gusau road and AA Rano along Gusau road.
Both filling stations were spotted selling at the official price of N145 but besieged by long queues while some stations belonging to
independent marketers were spotted selling at N 170 per litter.
In an interview with some motorists in the metropolis, they expressed concern over the situation and called on the government to arrest the situation before it degenerates to a bigger problem.
“We were happy that the shortage of fuel has become history but to our dismay, the problem has resurfaced now,” lamented Malam Bello Abubakar, motorist.
When approached for comment, the Deputy Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources and Head of Operations (DPR), Malam Nura Kamba, said the problem would soon disappear.
“As expected, the problem will soon disappear, as we will discover what the problem is and everything will be under control soon. It was caused by drop in the supply from the depot but I can tell the situation is under control.
“We have gone out today to monitor the situation in the metropolis and all the filling stations are complying, they are selling at official prices,” he said.
