Motorists in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, are facing severe hardships due to an acute fuel scarcity. Long queues have formed at the few filling stations that are open, while others remain closed.
Independent marketers have reportedly halted sales, leading to speculation and panic. Reliable sources indicate that these marketers are now selling fuel at exorbitant prices, ranging from N700 to N750 per liter, well above the official pump price.
Black marketers have also seized the opportunity, selling fuel at even higher prices of N1000 to N1200 per liter.
Motorist Mallam Musa Abu Musa expressed frustration and concern. He lamented the rising cost of living and transportation expenses, blaming heartless fuel dealers for the current crisis.
Musa urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene swiftly to prevent the situation from worsening. He also called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to investigate the activities of petroleum marketers in Kogi State.
Despite rumors that fuel prices may decline in May 2024 when the Dangote refinery begins operations, Musa expressed skepticism and urged the NMDPRA to take immediate action.
Efforts to reach the Kogi State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Engr. Ogbe Orits Godwin, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
