Motorists decry hoarding, hike in price of petrol in Calabar
Motorists and other residents of the city were seen waiting in long queues at petrol stations with the belief that they would open for business.
Some motorists in Calabar expressed worries on Wednesday over the hoarding and hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol in the city.
The motorists, who made their concerns known in separate interviews with the newsmen, said that the situation was worsening by the day.
The correspondent's checks around the Calabar metropolis revealed that many petrol stations were not open for business.
Supreme News also reports that the few outlets that are open sell petrol at between N700 and N800 per litre.
Motorists and other residents of the city were seen waiting in long queues at petrol stations with the belief that they would open for business.
A commercial driver, Mr. Abel Isong, said that he joined the queue because he was given the assurance that petrol was available at the station.
”We were told that they will sell today, so some of us came out as early as 6:00a.m to stay in this queue.
”Sadly, we have been here for several hours, and there is no sign that fuel will be sold here today. Many of us are stuck here.
Another motorist, Mr. Damian Otu, said that the situation was made worse by markerters who had decided to hoard or divert petroleum products for selfish reasons.
"Also, a challenge now is that black marketeering has become the new order. They are everywhere; they are making it difficult for us to access gasoline,” he said.
Otu said that black marketers flooded petrol stations with several containers, saying,When they buy, they re-sell for about N1,000 per litre.”
He accused the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) of being passive while the situation was degenerating.
”DPR is supposed to step in to tackle these unwholesome practices. Unfortunately, we can’t see them; we are helpless,” he said.
Mr. Archibong Akiba, a resident, said that the petrol situation in the city had affected movements and businesses.
”I had to postpone my journey because I can’t buy petrol. This situation is a challenge to everyone; even small-scale traders are crying,” he said.
A petrol pump attendant who preferred to be anonymous said that they would only commence sales when directed by their station manager.
”We have petrol, but we cannot just start selling; we are waiting for a directive from the station manager,” the attendant said.
The Supreme reports that the gasoline situation in the city has also led to an increase in the cost of transportation.