Fuel Scarcity Worsens: Long Queues Return To Ilorin Petrol Stations

Fuel Scarcity Worsens: Long Queues Return To Ilorin Petrol Stations

Motorists and commercial motorcycle riders in Ilorin, Kwara State, are facing renewed difficulties as petrol queues reemerge amid a worsening nationwide fuel scarcity. The situation has led to fuel prices skyrocketing to nearly ₦1,000 per litre at some stations, significantly affecting the daily lives of residents.

Ireporteronline reports that while the official petrol prices had been hovering between ₦640 and ₦680, the current scarcity has pushed prices to as high as ₦900 and ₦1,000 in some parts of Ilorin. Many filling stations in the state capital have either run out of stock or are selling at these exorbitant rates, leaving most stations inaccessible to the public.

Tajudeen Balogun, a manager at an independent fuel retailer, voiced his frustration, citing the lack of petrol importation and loading in Lagos, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) remains the sole importer. He warned that the crisis could persist until the country’s four refineries become operational and are able to meet the demands of the population.

A senior official from TotalEnergies, speaking anonymously, admitted uncertainty about the situation, stating, “The only thing I know is that we are unable to load fuel in Lagos because the product is not available presently.” He added that resolving the scarcity is beyond their control, emphasizing, “only God can rescue the country from the present situation.”

As the fuel scarcity deepens, the residents of Ilorin, like many others across Nigeria, continue to struggle with the implications of high fuel prices and limited availability, impacting their mobility and daily activities.