Fuel Scarcity Hits Lagos Again: Long Queues And Traffic Jams Grip The City As Fuel Scarcity Resurfaces

Fuel Scarcity Hits Lagos Again: Long Queues And Traffic Jams Grip The City As Fuel Scarcity Resurfaces

Lagos, known for its bustling streets, faced a new bout of chaos on Monday as heavy traffic gridlock and serpentine queues formed outside filling stations, hinting at a potential resurgence of Premium Motor Spirit scarcity….Read more related story Naira In Freefall: Biggest Dive To N1348/$ Signals Dollar Scarcity Crisis

Our correspondent witnessed the Ikorodu Road engulfed in an unusual traffic snarl, with motorists enduring prolonged queues at filling stations. The Total Filling station at Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way experienced surging queues, causing significant disruptions around the Ikeja axis.

A noticeable trend emerged as several filling stations along the Ikeja axis, including those along Obafemi Awolowo Road, remained shuttered.

Simultaneously, the fuel-related turmoil prompted some motorists to increase their fares, impacting commuters. A commercial transport operator on the Unilag-Jibowu route in Yaba disclosed that he was compelled to raise prices after enduring lengthy waits to refuel.

Refusing to disclose his name, the operator exclaimed, “Do you know how long it took me to buy fuel today? Anybody who doesn’t want to enter should stay out.”

Furthermore, all filling stations along Ogunnusi Road inbound Berger were observed not selling petrol to customers.

The cause behind this resurgence of fuel queues in Lagos remains unclear at the moment. However, reports indicate that the queues primarily formed at major filling stations offering lower fuel rates.

Notably, filling stations under the ownership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway also refrained from dispensing fuel.

Hammed Fashola, the National Vice Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, acknowledged the queues in some Lagos filling stations. Fashola speculated that the queues might stem from panic-buying rather than an actual fuel scarcity, stating, “People are just panicking. However, I will find out what the problem is.