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Tag: Fuel scarcity

Fuel scarcity looms in Edo as marketers threaten to stop supply

•DPR shuts down filling stations over price hike

THE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Edo State has threatened to stop fuel supply, following the closure of its filling stations by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the state’s Oil and Gas Committee.

Edo IPMAN Chairman David Ikhuoria said his members were unable to sell petroleum products at the official price of N87 because they were buying from private depots at Oghara, Delta State.

The union leader noted that rather than close their filling stations, because they were selling at between N105 and N110 per litre, the DPR should regulate the price from private depots to enable IPMAN members sell at N87 per litre.

He warned that Edo residents might face hardship, if they stopped buying petroleum products from private depots.

Ikhuoria urged the oil and gas committee to empathise with the union in the interest of peace.

He said: “We buy products from private depots in Oghara and they sell to us at N95 per litre; Othniel Energy sells at N99 and Rain Oil at N95. After that, we pay transport. By the time the product gets to Benin, we sell at N110 or N105. If we were buying from Warri depot, we would have been selling at N87 per litre, but the country goes there to load fuel.

“The Warri depot is bringing out 1.5 million litres per day and the number of trucks that goes to Edo State is not up to five. In the past five days, no truck has loaded from Warri to Benin. So, there will be serious scarcity in Edo State very soon because my members have stopped going to Oghara to buy fuel since the state government and DPR are closing down our filling stations.

“The DPR has its people who work with these private depots where we buy fuel. All they can do is to regulate the prices and not punish us for trying to buy products for our people in Edo State. It is unfair.

“If we buy at N99 per litre, we will add transportation and a little profit. So, we are appealing to the state government to also understand our plight. If our people stop buying products from Oghara, there will be scarcity in Edo State because the Benin depot is not working now.”

August 4, 2015
Fuel scarcity looms again

Another round of fuel scarcity may after all be on the way, if nothing is done to resolve the lingering crisis between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Chevron management

The union is asking for, among other things, the revisit of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) reached between the management of Chevron and the union in 2012 and again the reinstatement of the executive chairman of the branch of the NUPENG in Chevron, Comrade Shabi Dada, who it said was removed from office one year ago for no just reasons as well as the issue of categorisation casualisation

Meanwhile, the union has urged the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Chevron management to order, saying the activities of the management are not in the best interest of Nigerians. This, it said, would drive home the expected change in the country’s oil and gas sector which is the yearning of the people

Speaking with journalists in Lagos at the weekend, the Lagos Zonal Chairman of NUPENG, Comrade Tokunbo Korodo, said the sacking of the executive chairman of the Chevron branch was an affront to the union, expressing disappointment that all the calls by the union for his re-instatement proved abortive

He informed that the contract workers of Chevron had been on strike for nine days now in order to press home some of these demands from the management.

According to him, before now, the contract workers had been under the control of six contractors about three years ago.

On the other hand, the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the former contractor was cancelled and the one in existence now was imposed on the union, adding that there was no contribution of the union to it

He said all the basic things that were needed to be enshrined in the CBA were not there.

He said: “We have been agitating for the revisit of these issues and they also made us understand that the contract is also coming to an end by December this year.

“As this is still going on, some of our members have been pencilled down for termination of appointment and retirement. There is need to have a vibrant CBA that will take care of the benefits of members.All efforts to have a listening ear from the management of Chevron proved abortive, hence the agitation by the workers

“It took them complete seven good years before we were called for a meeting and even when we attended the meeting, no concrete result came out of it.”

He further said: “We are doing this for Nigerians to know that the NUPENG is not going on strike unnecessarily. We law abiding. We are taking this step to press home our demands.”

He continued: “Whatever scarcity or hardship Nigerians are getting out of this, they should put it at the door step of Chevron. We are not willing to oppress or punish Nigerians, but Chevron is pushing us to that stage.

“If nothing is done, the union will be forced to ask other branches of the NUPENG to embark on strike to press home these demands, and there would be another fuel scarcity as a result of this.”

Secretary, Chevron Contract Workers Union of the NUPENG, Segun Odukoya, disclosed that some people had been on casual employment for the past twenty years.

He said there is no vacation, overtime or medical attention given to the workers.

“We say no to categorisation; we say no to casualisation; and we say no to intimidation and victimisation. The NUPENG will always fight for the rights of the workers”, he said.

July 4, 2015
‘Indigenous refining solution to fuel scarcity’

To find lasting solution to the lingering fuel scarcity, the Federal Government has to ensure the refineries work at full capacity and new ones built to support them.

The former Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and the immediate past Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, told The Nation that ensuring the refineries work was key to self-sufficiency in petroleum products supply.

He said the way out of the protracted fuel scarcity is ensuring minimal importation and making the refineries work. “One thing is that the Nigerian economy no matter what anyone says has been expanding. The refineries are at best with the current capacity that is on ground. I think it is approximately 18 million litres per day.

‘’During my time, it was 30 million litres per day that was required, which meant that about 12 million litres was imported. But it was more than that because the refineries were not working at full capacity. So what we had then was probably about 12 million litres and we were bringing in about 18 million litres. The key thing is to get the refineries working, get additional ones in, so that whatever we require within the economy is produced within the refineries in the country.

“There must be minimal importation. It is only the deficit that can actually be imported. So, the refineries have to be given the latitude and capacity to function very well. From what I read, I think with Mr. President’s body language even though he has not tinkered with anything, you will understand that the refineries will start working from this month. By the time, he brings out his policies I think we might just be at full production and whatever will be imported will be very minimal. I’m optimistic about that.”

On how to reduce fuel subsidy, considering that during his tenure at the PPPRA, subsidy payment was about N200 billion until 2010, when it shot up to N280 billion, it has since gone up to about N2 trillion yearly.

He said: “I wouldn’t speculate on what has happened, I can only speak for the period that I served. During the period that I served, marketers must give us notice of readiness; they must let us know when the vessels would come in and I would station staff at various jetties, depots and as these products come in, my staff are in and I also make sure that DPR and the auditors (Ithink Akintola Williams then) were around. They saw the product and while the products were coming in, they take the figures and send to the headquarters in real time. Having the aforementioned monitors present, quality and accuracy are ensured. We all worked in unison to ensure that things worked out well and we were able to keep subsidy figures down as much as possible. I understand some people don’t bring in products but get paid, I don’t know how they get around that but that never happened during my time.”

Oluleye frowned at the frequent changes of chief executives at the PPPRA after he left office in 2009. He was the Executive Secretary of PPPRA between 2003 and 2009 but between the time he left and end of 2013, the agency has had four chiefs.

He said: “So far, I think I have been the longest serving. I don’t know what I did right or wrong but there has been greater turnover of Executive Secretaries in the agency. I may be wrong, but the Act establishing the agency says it reports to no one other than the President because of the sensitivity of petroleum products prices and I can only speak for my period.

“While I was working there, I had the full backing of the Presidency and we just tried to do what was right. Mr. President never interfered, he just felt that we knew what we were doing as he kept a lead on the amount of subsidy that was to be given out, and that was why you saw the PPPRA coming out incessantly to adjust prices trying to make the template very plain and insisting that those who cannot stay in the industry should exit.

“He was not pampering anybody to stay to import. It was free entry and free exit during the period. So he gave us that latitude but I don’t know what happened when I left but with the high turnover in executive secretaries, there must be either some differences in policy issues or directions. There was just some instability.”

July 2, 2015
Residents celebrate end of fuel scarcity

A huge sigh of relief coursed through the capital city following the ease of fuel scarcity and the long queues at filling stations, some even suggesting it is the Buhari touch. AYORINDE HOPE reports

For months on end, the people suffered and hoped. Fuel scarcity upset homes and the order and rhythm of life at the nation’s capital. Power supply dropped, worsened by the fact that there was no petrol to run generators. Businesses suffered, some folded up. Going to work was herculean. Prices of foodstuff went up. Those who were initially hopeful that the dark cloud would soon blow over had reason to despair as weeks turned to months with no hope in sight.

The precious liquid is available and the long-winding queues have disappeared. Nigerians especially those in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) can now heave a huge sigh of relief. Residents can hardly contain their joy. Some reckoned that the scarcity was going to be the longest trying time for the country’s sovereignty.

The fuel scarcity overran all sectors of the economy, crippling businesses, shutting down power and testing the courage and strength of Nigerians.

The social media could not help but further set agenda on the issue, although one wouldn’t have expected less. Nigerians posted hilarious pictures and statuses while hoping that the change they had envisaged would finally arrive, and not just arriving but also sweeping the ills and vices left in Nigeria away so that democracy would start to pay its dividends.

•Where are the queues?

The transport sector was the hardest hit, of course. Vehicles were on long queues for days. This was not because of their love for queues nor the lack of money to purchase fuel. No. The lingering scarcity was a shadow that just would not disappear.

A visit to the federal capital city a few weeks ago, would present a city whose streets, roads and other places crawled with fuel merchants who sold fuel at exorbitant prices, a 10-liter jerry can selling for N2,500. Motorists stopped by the roadside to patronise them.

The lingering shadows have now vanished, and Nigerians have now found respite from their travails. You no longer find cars waiting in long queues at the petrol station. Bus fares have gone back to normal and the economy is back on track.

This week, Abuja Review met with some residents of Abuja who described how they were adjusting to life in the absence of fuel scarcity, some believe it was the long awaited change and the president that was instrumental to its disappearance others believe it is still affecting them in one way or the other.

Mr. Saheed Adelakun said that during the scarcity of fuel he experienced difficulty in transporting his merchandise from Suleja to Kubwa, but he is happy to say that things have gone back to normal.

“I thank God that fuel is now available; I transport meat from Suleja to Kubwa here. Transportation cost during the period of fuel scarcity was so high. Normally it shouldn’t be more than N2,500 but it went as high as N5000 which also made us sell meat at a high price. Government should always consider the masses before allowing things to go out of normal,” he said.

Mr. Zakaria Bahago had a different view to the whole matter. According to him the issue of fuel scarcity affected him both personally and business-wise. He said, “It affected me personally and in my business. I paid a high price for transportation to my place of work every day for weeks; you can imagine summing up the amount you paid every day for transportation and comparing it to your salary for the month, it was a hard time for us all”.

He added that the availability of fuel has brought relief to him and his family.

While reacting to whether the coming of the new president was responsible for eliminating fuel scarcity, Mr. Bahago said, “We the masses usually say that if the president wants it to work, it will, so we can say it was his [President Buhari’s] coming and we can thank God because we are seeing the change we envisaged; our businesses are moving fine and power supply is getting better”.

Another resieent simply known as Mama Kuburat said that the scarcity so affected her business that she sold off her foodstuff on credit to customers because they were unable to pay her immediately.

“Business is moving fine unlike before when the fuel was scarce. I sold on credit to customers because I could understand the situation even though the prices of foodstuff increased but I thank God I was able to manage to feed my family and the prices of foodstuff have returned to normal,” she said.

The end of the fuel scarcity of course, has however shown the commitment of the government in meeting the needs of the masses. It has also shown that the government should put in place proactive means of maintaining the availability of fuel.

June 30, 2015
How we battle fuel scarcity, blackout by schools, mothers

How have homes and schools been coping with fuel scarcity and blackout?

It has been terrible, many said yesterday as they relived their experiences.

Taking the children to schools and back has not been easy, some mothers told The Nation.

A teacher, Hajia Sherifah Yusuf-Ajibade, said she could not go and pick her children from their school in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, for midterm holiday yesterday because she had no fuel in her car.

She hopes to get fuel today for the trip.

“We can’t pick my children from school for midterm break. The vehicle expected to go to Vanguards Academy in Ijebu-Ode could not get fuel. The driver had been on the queue since 8am. Now, as at now (3pm), the queue has not been dismantled, no thanks to the unscrupulous motorists who couldn’t demonstrate civility for once. He was quite close to the entrance when the queue got disorganised. I have been looking forward to having the children today (yesterday) but nay, I hope and pray we will have a different story tomorrow Insha Allah,” she posted on Change Monitor, a WhatsApp group chat.

Hajia Yusuf-Ajibade, who teaches at As-Siddiq Schools in Ketu, Lagos, said the pupils shouted Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest) when light came up after the school got fuel for its generator.

“For some time now, we have not had electricity from the distribution company. Thank God female factor got us 50 litres of fuel at N87 today (yesterday) at Conoil filling Station opposite Centre for Management Development (CMD), Shangisha. Two of my colleagues went there with two 25-litre gallons and explained to the officers coordinating the crowd that the school needs fuel, after lamenting the ordeal the kids in the Creche and classes are facing because the generator has no fuel, they sold for them and under one hour they were back in the school. The neighbours who informed us of the availability of fuel in the station were left on the queue. When they returned and put on the generating set, the children in the classes shouted Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest) and within a few minutes, the ones at the Creche slept off. The school management and staff felt relieved,” she said.

Mrs Lydia Omotosho, who lives on College Road, Ogba, Lagos, said her children have been going to school late because of fuel scarcity and blackout.

According to her, she has not been able to pump water at home because of the blackout.

She said she had been going to the frozen foods shop on her street with others on the neighbourhood to fetch water.

Mrs Kikelomo Amusa, who also lives in Ogba, said: “Thank God my children’s school, Solid Gate Montessori School, College Road, is not too far from the house, so since there is no longer fuel and light, we trek together to school. It is very stressful because I have three children; two are going to the school, while the last one is still a baby. I have to wake up earlier than usual and look for water to bathe them.

“We all trek to their school and I back the baby because I cannot leave my baby at home alone; my husband would have gone to work.”

Mr Samuel Ojo, the Administrator of Claridge Schools, Ifako Ijaye, Lagos said fuel scarcity did not hit the school too hard because it got petrol from the black market at a higher price.

The school, he said, shifted mid-term break, initially scheduled for next week to this week.

Mrs Wunmi Rajh-Label said her three children could not go to school, because they could not have their bathe, adding that her family’s two cars are at home with no fuel to run them.

Mrs Uju Ifeakor, Headteacher of Hallmark Nursery and Primary School at Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, said her school’s close ties with a filling station enabled them to get petrol at the normal price. The school buses, she said, operated without hitch, adding that academic activities went on smoothly. But, the school recorded scanty turn out of parents at its open day yesterday.

A parent at the open day, Mrs Uche Okoye, said she had confined her car to taking her children to school to manage fuel.

She lamented the high cost of petrol at the black market which she patronises to preserve her foodstuff.

Headmistress of Right Choice Divine Schools, Ogba Mrs Nike Peters said the school recorded low turnout of pupils this week, because it could not fuel its bus.

“We had to call parents on Sunday to apologise to them that our school bus would not be available to pick them in the morning, so they should bring their children to school themselves. Those that stay close to school were able to make it but most pupils were not able to come to school. The school is very scanty and uncomfortable because we were not able to power the generator to put on fan and air conditioner for them. And we had to buy at the black market to fuel our generating set to pump water,” Mrs Peters said.

At Al-Wasi Schools in Mushin, the story was not different. “Our school bus did not work due to unavailability of fuel,” said Hajia Zaynab Ahmad-Taiwo, the Headteacher.

Academic activities, she said, were partially affected because teachers came late.

May 27, 2015
Fuel scarcity: More domestic airlines cancel flights

The scarcity of aviation is biting harder as more domestic airlines cancel flights.

At the general aviation terminal of Lagos Airport passengers remain stranded as airline officials run around to scout for fuel.

DANA Air yesterday said it was cancelling its flights due to the scarcity of Jet A- One.

A statement by the airline reads: ”Dear Esteemed Guest, due to the current scarcity of Jet-A1 fuel, we regret to inform that our flights cannot operate as scheduled. Visit www.flydanaair.com or contact the call centre and airport offices for updates.

We sincerely apologize for all inconveniences this might have caused you and wish to assure that normal operations will resume as soon as aviation fuel is available. Thanks for your understanding and patronage.”

Speaking at forum yesterday minister of aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka said there is need to work a permanent solution to the problem of fuel .

He said Nigeria with its huge potentials should not have problems with fuel supply when countries like Ethiopia without crude oil has fuel to run its airlines.

May 26, 2015
Lifting of oil won’t stop fuel scarcity, says NUPENG

. NLC seek blacklisting of guilty firms

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) has warned that lifting of fuel as agreed after yesterday’s meeting of oil industry chiefs, marketers and government officials at the National Assembly is not likely to end the crippling fuel scarcity.

The solution according to the union is to end the massive importation.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also yesterday urged the federal government to blacklist the firms that contributed to the scarcity which it said had caused Nigerians untold hardship.

In Lagos, Policemen were on Ikorodu Road in Lagos, arresting black market sellers of petrol on the road side.

No fewer than a dozen of boys selling petrol at the road side were arrested. Others fled.

NUPENG President Igwe Achese told reporters in Lagos that ‘’The scarcity will continue until the government addresses certain issues. We cannot continue to depend on importation.

“The NNPC which operates the refineries is the highest importer of petroleum. Why?

“Contrary to the rumour that we are on strike, we are saying it now that we are not on strike. But we are faced with some challenges, one of which is the problem of space, especially, in Lagos. Downstream has moved to Lagos. Most of our tankers load from Apapa, but the new directive from the Lagos State Government has made it difficult for us to operate,’’ Achese said.

Achese described petroleum subsidy as a fraud, adding that subsidy should be removed totally. He said the money on subsidy should be used to build more refineries, repair the existing ones and address many infrastructural problems.

‘’Even though the economy is growing, we are still suffering. The in-coming government has a lot to address,” he said.

NLC President Ayuba Wabba said in a statement entitled: “Fuel Scarcity: Let Government Act Now” that the government should carry out a quick investigation on the matter which should identify the officers behind the current situation and hand them over to the incoming administration to further investigate and they are made to face the law.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has watched with utter disgust and dismay how business and commercial activities in the country have been brought literally to a halt as a result of the activities of a mindless and cruel cabal that has taken absolute grip of the petroleum import business.

“Clearly, the objective of the cabal in the current impasse is to arm-twist the Federal Government to part with billions of dollars, which it had not earned, in the name of fuel subsidy payments.

“More curious, however, is the fact that the Federal Government has allowed this cabal to continue to hold the entire country to ransom thereby escalating the regime of impunity and unimaginable corruption which had taken complete hold of the operations of our petroleum sector causing the country to lose billions of dollars over the years.

“As Mr. President has had cause to remind Nigerians in the weeks following the March 28, 2015 Presidential election, that he was still in charge of running the country, the NLC hereby calls on him to take firm and decisive action by calling to order all those in the petroleum sector that have one way or the other brought this crisis upon the nation.

The outgoing administration should blacklist all those private sector companies involved in the massive blackmail of Nigerians and ensure that their licenses are revoked as a punitive measure to serve as deterrent to operators that it doesn’t pay to blackmail and hold a nation to ransom.

“The ugly experience of Nigerians in the last four or so weeks regarding this fuel scarcity raises a few questions. One; what happened to our old habit of maintaining “a strategic national reserve”?

“Two, is the action of the players in the petroleum sector a subtle plot to force the hands of the incoming administration to forcibly deregulate the petroleum sector, and compound the hardship of Nigerians through the increase in the prices of petroleum products?

“As organised labour, we maintain our position that government has absolutely no excuse not to ensure that our four refineries with combined capacity to refine 450 thousand barrels per day to function and operate to full capacity.

“We refuse to accept that as a nation so dependent on the petroleum sector, that Nigeria is incapable of building and effectively maintaining refineries to refine all the petroleum products it needs internally and more, so that we are able to satisfy our internal consumption needs and export finished products with value addiction along the chain, to earn additional foreign exchange for the nation.

Wabba called for “the implementation of the Faruk Lawan’s House of Representatives Report on the Petroleum Sector; Implementation of the Nuhu Ribadu Committee Report, Implementation of the Senate Committee on Finance on the Alleged Unremitted US$49.8 billion Oil Revenue by the NNPC and Review of the Audit Report by PricewaterHouseCooper (PwC)

He maintained that “We in the NLC are hopeful that the incoming administration, with the experience of the President-elect in the petroleum industry, will help usher in an era of patriotic and nationalist orientation, and will tighten all the areas of leakages and fraudulent practices which had deprived our country of billions of dollars in earnings into the federation account.

We are ready for questions on handover notes, says Sambo From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Vice-President Namadi Sambo has expressed the readiness of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to clarify any issue in the handover notes.

He made the remark on Monday while presenting copies of the handover notes to the Ahmed Joda led All Progressives Congress (APC) Transition committee at the State House, Abuja.

He said that the report comprises the activities of the Federal Government between 2011 and 2015.

He said: “The handover notes of the Federal Government of Nigeria of this administration between 2011 and 2015 have been properly articulated and printed.”

“The Permanent Secretaries of each ministry have signed each page of this report to authenticate it and it is our pleasure to present it to you and pray that it will guide you, guide the incoming administration towards the achievement of positive objectives, development and progress of Nigeria.”

“And I want to add that all of us are always available, after this report between now and May 29, anytime you need to meet with us. We are ready to come and sit and clarify.”

“All the (Ministries, Departments and Agencies) MDAs will also be ready to meet with you, give you any additional or clarification that you would want to have on this report that we are presenting.” He added

He thanked the members of the two transition committees for their support and contributions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Joda said that his committee would examine the report before final submission to the incoming administration.

He said: “It is my honour and my privilege to receive this comprehensive set of the report from the government transition committee which was chaired by the vice-president.”

“It appears that nothing has been left out. It is now our challenge to give careful study and examination of what is contained in these volumes.”

He said that his committee is duty bound to ensure continuity in government, governance, for the general progress of the nation.

May 26, 2015
Fuel scarcity: NRC reduces Ogun-Lagos rail shuttle

The biting fuel scarcity has forced the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to reduce its daily shuttle services on the Ogun-Lagos route from 12 to eight.

NRC Lagos District Manager Mr Akin Osinowo, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, said the reduction only affected the intermediate services.

“Our return intermediate services at 12 noon and 2p.m are being suspended for now.

“We have no option than to suspend these services because we are finding it difficult to run our normal services, due to fuel scarcity.

“We will return to normal services when fuel supply returns to normal,’’ Osinowo said.

According to him, the corporation uses about 32 litres of fuel for its Ogun-Lagos services weekly.

“But now, we are sourcing for fuel everywhere to ensure the running of Ogun-Lagos services even after the reduction in our number of services from 12 to eight.’’

Osinowo, who declined comments on whether the long distance and cargo services would also be suspended, appealed to commuters for understanding.

NAN reports that there was a rush by passengers at the railway terminus at Ijoko in Ogun yesterday for train services.

A NAN correspondent at the terminus reports that the train was congested as commuters struggled to board.

It was so bad that many passengers resorted to hanging on the locomotive.

Many who could not get places inside the coaches and could not hang on the train were stranded at various stations.

“I’ve no option than to go back home because it’s quite expensive to go to Lagos by public transport,’’ a nursing mother, Ronke Alayo, said.

Commuters went for the Diesel Motorised Unit services, costing N750, which they hitherto shunned because of its high cost.

May 26, 2015
Commuters groan as fuel scarcity bites harder

Transport fares yesterday hit an all-time high in Lagos.

Many spent hours at bus stops in anticipation of likely reduction in the transport fares without luck; they were left with no choice other than to board the available buses when they discovered that the motorists were not ready to shift ground.

Many workers trekked to their offices and businesses groaned under the rising costs of operations.

Transport fares were jerked up between 300 and 500 per cent.

Commuters paid N400 to board a bus from Ikotun to Cele Bus stops as against the usual N50 or N100, depending on time.

A commuter simply identified as Jide described a development where commuters paid N500 from Agbado to Oshodi as “crazy.”

Jide enjoined youths to stand for their rights, saying “this is becoming too much to bear.”

The Nation also learnt that people paid N300 from Mile 2 to CMS and N500 from CMS to Ajah.

“God has to intervene because tomorrow (today) transport fares will be really crazy,” said a commuter via Twitter.

Another one tweeted that commuters paid N500 from Aseese to Berger.

“When will these stops?” He asked.

Bus conductors were seen urging passengers from Lawanson to CMS to enter with N500 against the usual N200, while N150 was charged from Lawanson to Ojuelegba instead of N50.

Olatunde Fasanya, a student of the Lagos State University (LASU) decided not to go to school for lectures, saying N250 demanded by the motorists from Isheri to Iyana-Iba was outrageous.

“I don’t understand why I had to pay N300 from Ejigbo to Iyana-Isolo which normally costs N150. This crisis doesn’t recognise anyone; even policemen begged to buy fuel on Saturday at N200 per litre,” said Segun, a motorist.

There were long queues at various bus stops including Ilasamaja on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway; Oloosa on Agege Motor Road, Agboju on Badagry Expressway; Western Avenue, Orile, Mile 12 and Egbada among others, owing to fewer commercial vehicles on the roads.

Toyeeb Adebayo, a Supervisor at Wheel Oil and Gas in Mushin, said: “I boarded a bus from Ikotun to Cele at N400 instead of N50 or N100 depending on time. If it’s early in the morning, it’s N50, but it increases to N100 around 7am. From Cele to Iyana-Itire, I paid N100 instead of N30. I don’t know what they would charge at closing time,” he said.

Adebayo sought an immediate end to the scarcity, saying his salary would not meet up with the increased fares.

A worried motorist, Olukayode Lasisi said the fuel scarcity has demonstrated the visionless leadership of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Lasisi called for the diversification of the economy, overhauling of the oil sector, repairs and building of new refineries.

He said that placement of camera on pipelines for effective monitoring would curb illegal bunkering

“The incoming government needs to sideline the marketers and fast-track registration of new ones. It will force them to bring price down because the fuel is available. They are hoarding it to make price reduction impossible. Government should roll out short-term policies that will fast-track mass transit project. This can be done strategically and systematically to edge out the fat-fed marketers,” Lasisi submitted.

Eni Olukotun, publisher of an online medium, www.completenewsng.com expressed deep concerns over the crisis, accusing the Jonathan administration of gross ineptitude and corruption.

Recounting how the fuel crisis had crippled his activities, Olukotun lamented: “Nigeria has never had it this bad; not even under the military junta of despotic General Sani Abacha. I never imagined buying a litre of petrol for N1,000. I might be forced to suspend our operation if the situation persists.”

The Managing Director, Bulk Chartering and Marine Logistics, George Porbeni said the impasse was having negative implications on his businesses. He said it had been challenging to move goods from the ports in Apapa to other parts of the country where they are needed.

He said many of his clients, especially, importers of goods are not ready to incur additional costs on such activities.

‘’ There has been lull in business activities since four weeks ago, when the fuel scarcity started. Prior to this, firms engaging in clearing and forwarding business had been finding it pretty difficult to cope due to high duties which made many operators to use ports in Benin Republic and other neighbouring countries. But with the fuel crisis worsening by the day, the problems of the operators have been compounded,” he said.

He said he had directed workers, whose services are not urgently needed to stay at home, pending when the fuel problems would abate.

‘’Why should one bother drivers to office every day, knowing well that there is no fuel to move goods or containers from Tincan Island or Wharf to their destinations, especially outside Lagos?

Outgoing President Jonathan’s government has shut doors on further negotiations with marketers because he was not ready to pay the balance of N200billion subsidy arrears demanded by them.

Amid this, marketers insist they were not going to resume importation until the Federal Government pay them the N209billion owed them.

Added to this was the strike action embarked upon by oil-transporting bodies to force the government to reverse the transfer of operatorship of Oil Mining Lease (OML), 40 Evecrest Production and Exploration Limited.

However, with the news of the suspension of the strike by the marketers last night, fuel users, especially commuters are expectant of imminent reprieve.

May 26, 2015
Beat FM, other radio stations groan over fuel scarcity

The lingering fuel scarcity across the nation is having a negative effect on businesses as they are not able to operate at optimum capacity.

Among those who have been groaning under the fuel scarcity is Beat 99.9 FM. Following the persistent scarcity, the station has shortened its length of transmission.

On Sunday, the station via its Twitter handle, announced it was going off air, a situation which many link to the shortage of fuel.

‘We’re going off again,’ the station tweeted at around 2pm. ‘We’ll be back tomorrow at 6am.’

This was a repeat of how the radio station operated on Saturday when it announced it was shutting down by 8:30pm as against its normal closing hour.

‘We will be shutting down at 8.30pm today due to diesel shortage,’ the station’s Twitter account @THEBEAT999FM read. This is as a result of a lack of electricity with a combined lack of fuel to power the generating sets. ‘We have to ration. We will be back on tomorrow. We will keep you updated.’

Other stations in Lagos such as Classic FM, Naija FM and City FM have also cut down on their transmission hours as a result of the persistent fuel scarcity.

May 26, 2015