Persistent scarcity: Petrol marketer calls for repair of refineries

An independent petroleum marketer in Kwara, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, has called on the incoming government to repair the nation’s refineries, to resolve the lingering fuel scarcity.

He made the call in llorin on Monday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the fuel scarcity being experienced in the country.

Sanni attributed the scarcity to non functioning of the nation’s refineries which he said should be first to be addressed by Muhammad Buhari-led government.

Sanni alleged that payment of oil subsidy was going to “some people who are not actually lifting fuel”.

He said repair of refineries should be the objective of government and not removal of subsidy.

The marketer said removal of subsidy without repair of refineries would bring more hardships to Nigerians.

The scarcity is biting harder on residents of llorin as many commercial vehicles are off the roads.

Major roads that normally record high vehicular and human traffic in the town are virtually empty as only few vehicles now ply the roads.

It is resting period for traffic wardens as several of them seat near their duty posts, watching the few vehicles passing.

Few commercial operators on the roads increased fares by 200 per cent for commuters that could afford it.

Commutters are stranded at various locations, while some resorted to trekking to their destinations.

Some motorists, who spoke with NAN in llorin, described the situation as unfortunate and pathetic.

They said the fuel crisis had affected their social and economic activities, adding that the situation needed urgent attention.

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