The ongoing petrol scarcity that initially surfaced in Lagos and Abuja over a month ago has now spread to various parts of the country, causing significant distress among Nigerians.
In some areas, the situation has become so dire that petrol is being sold for more than N1,000 per litre, exacerbating the struggles faced by citizens as they attempt to carry out their daily activities.
The deepening crisis has caused significant disruptions to commercial and social activities across the nation. With many petrol stations shuttered due to supply shortages, prices have skyrocketed to over N1,000 per litre in some regions. Despite the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) attributing these shortages to distribution challenges, the root cause remains unspecified.
The impact of the crisis is palpable, with long queues at petrol stations and a thriving black market for fuel. The transport sector has been particularly affected, with fare increases reported across various cities.
Average citizens are bearing the brunt of surging fuel prices and the proliferation of black market activity. Reports indicate that in some regions, a ten-litre jerrycan of petrol is being sold for as high as N12,000, while private fuel stations are selling the commodity for between N750 to N1,050 per litre, depending on location.
