The lingering fuel scarcity in Nigeria has taken a new twist in Kano state, the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria.
BizPoint observed that as the scarcity is biting harder, roads in the commercial city have been deserted due to shortage of commercial vehicles, making commuters stranded.
Observation by this newspaper indicated that the chaotic roads at the commercial city had become the shadow of their former selves as both commercial and private vehicles had been off the roads due to fuel scarcity.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: NNPC sets date to clear fuel queues nationwide
Some motorists might have spent times, some even passed nights at filling stations trying to buy cheaper fuel, making the roads empty as many preferred to stay indoors due to shortage of commercial vehicles.
Our reporter moved round the city and observed that majority of the main roads, including those that are linked to some major markets are deserted.
IBB way, Kantin Kwari Market in Kano metropolis
The situation had indeed paralyzed commercial activities in the city that commands business activities for centuries.
Students also are not spared by the problem as they get to schools late by either trekking or wait for too long to get vehicles that will carry them to school.
Civil servants also report to offices hours late as a result of scarcity of commercial vehicles and high fares.
Areas with high commercial activities are worst hit, as commuters are already grappling with rising transportation costs caused by the scarcity of fuel, coupled with high price of the petroleum.
Commuters have to wait for a long time to get available vehicles, which are most of the times overcrowded.
Transportation unions have reported a significant decrease in the number of vehicles operating, with many drivers unable to afford the exorbitant prices of fuel at the ‘black market’.
This is at the time when petroleum is being sold above N1,000 per litre at independent marketers’ outlets, while the price is between N700 and N800 at major marketers’ filling stations
Hamza Ibrahim, a commercial tricycle rider in the state lamented the situation, stating, “We are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain our operations.
“The cost of fuel had skyrocketed, and many riders can’t afford it anymore.” Another rider, Usman Isah, added that they wasted most of their precious time at filling stations struggling to get fuel even at high prices.
IPMAN’s reaction
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has stated that the petrol scarcity, currently spreading to more states across the country, will take at least two weeks to normalize.
Sheikh Mudi Sakha road, Dala LGA
According to IPMAN’s Public Relations Officer, Chinedu Ukadike, the product is currently unavailable in the country due to challenges in sourcing caused by ongoing maintenance at refineries in Europe.
READ ALSO: Building collapse: Kano govt talks tough against flouting KNUPDA law
“The situation is that there is no product. Once there is a lack of supply or inadequate supply, what you will see is scarcity, and queues will emerge at filling stations”
“Although the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has affirmed that it possesses sufficient supply of the product, the ongoing shortage has disrupted the supply chain” he said.
Ukadike added that most refineries in Europe are undergoing turnaround maintenance, making it difficult to source petroleum products.
BizPoint observed that motorists were seen stranded, with some residents resorting to trekking long distances across various parts of Kano city.
Businesses that rely on transportation for their operations are feeling the pinch, with Adam Ibrahim, a wholesaler in Sabon Gari Market, expressing concerns about the scarcity disrupting their supply chain.