Motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) continue to face long queues at petrol stations despite the sharp increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
The pump price, which has risen from N195 per litre in early 2023 to between N1,030 and N1,200, has failed to alleviate the city’s fuel scarcity. Residents and motorists who spoke to The Guardian expressed frustration, questioning the rationale behind removing the fuel subsidy, which they claim has only increased hardship.
Despite the price hike, many drivers endure at least 30 minutes in queues to refuel their vehicles. Successive governments and oil industry stakeholders have blamed the scarcity on the diversion of fuel to neighbouring countries, where it is sold at higher prices.
To curb this illegal activity, President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of the fuel subsidy upon assuming office. However, the decision has led to a surge in fuel prices without resolving the supply issues.
One of the affected motorists, Mr Okwudili Ezekiel, a taxi driver in the Jabi area, lamented the time wasted in queues, which could have been used to earn a living.
“I spend hours queuing for fuel, and even when I manage to get passengers, I can hardly recover the cost of the fuel. I buy N25,000 worth of fuel, but most days, I don’t make more than N10,000. Passengers don’t understand our struggle just to get fuel, and they still expect to pay the same fares,” he said.
Ezekiel added that while some taxi drivers have stopped working due to the fuel crisis, he has no choice but to continue as it is his only source of income.
“It’s become much harder. We spend at least 30 minutes in line to get fuel, and then the next challenge is finding passengers,” he said. Another cab operator, Nwabueze, echoed his concerns, stating that the rising cost of transportation has made people avoid unnecessary trips.
“The fuel we buy is wasted as we drive around looking for passengers. Even bus stops, where we used to find passengers reliably, are no longer viable, and we sometimes wait up to four hours for a chance to load,” he said.
Mr David, another motorist, shared his frustration, explaining that the daily struggle to get fuel far outweighs the returns. “Many motorists now turn to the black market, where fuel is sold at inflated prices right in front of the service stations,” he said. David called on the federal government to urgently address the recurring fuel scarcity and consider the plight of Nigerians.