The present state of fuel scarcity in the country is becoming an alarming one and in our entire history of fuel shortage, there has never been one incident that has brought us so much hardship like this present one. We have demand for an explanation over and over, however, it is like no one could ascertain the true state of the matter. What we all know is this, there is fuel scarcity and we the masses are paying a huge price. From my inquiry and deductions, I found out that the wholesalers have been withholding petrol as they claim that they are owed $1 billion by the federal government. If we could recall, the issue of government owing the marketers had surfaced about 3-4 weeks ago and the Minister of finance disputed the figures. To me, what it appears to be is that the fuel importers and marketer are blackmailing the federal government into agreeing to one more massive payout as they are not sure how much longer they would continue to enjoy the fuel subsidy after a new government is sworn in. But why the government is dancing to the tune of this music is what I don't understand.
These scammers have literally shut down the nation saying that they are owed $1 billion in arrears, but then no one gets to see how this figure is worked out. Reports from BBC points out that, many government officials, including employees of the state fuel company, are so intertwined in the fraud it is hard to know who is scamming who. Now, these wholesalers are waiting for a $1 billion payout from the government before they release more fuel. For how long shall the masses continue to wait? Moreover, who are we really waiting for, the marketers or the government? What even took me by surprise was the release of 13 million litres, approximately 400 trucks of petroleum products including petrol last night by Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited. This is an indication that some of these marketers are engaged in sabotage, as they have enough fuel stock in their depots but have refused to sell them. This is no doubt a battle the oil marketers have decided to fight and have cared less about the masses so far the war would yield a positive outcome pending the swearing in of a new government on Friday.
Another question that have troubled so many minds is the failure of the government to resolve the crisis. It has kept numb over the issue and it pretends as if there is no way out. This to me is not a way to end a regime after we have all saluted Mr President of his courage for handing down power willingly, thus preventing crisis in the country. However, ending his administration by deepening the nation in crisis for a new government is not a good reputation to earn. If a final strong stance is required to put an end to the crisis, I would suggest that be done before May 29. As usual with our democratic system in Nigeria, rather than find a lasting solution to the crisis that has left the nation grounded, the two parties are busy pointing accusing fingers at each other. The opposition is saying that the present administration deliberately wants to deepen the crisis of the nation before Buhari takes over while the PDP is saying that the opposition have intentionally created the crisis, so that they country would be in mess before the new administration comes in. Whichever the case, the masses are the ones bearing the consequences of the scarcity.
Presently in Lagos and Abuja, fuel are sold in filling stations that have decided to sell at N500 per litre. Many don't even have the fuel or have but decided to hoard it. It is a terrible scene to watch when pump price remains at N87, however, your kegs or cans are being filled at the rate of N500 per litre. It is disheartening. Yesterday, Lagos to Ibadan was taken at the rate of N2,500 compared to N800 before the fuel scarcity. Banks are already sending messages to their customers of rescheduling their operations for some of their branches, radio stations are shutting down, flights are grounded and even telecommunication companies could soon be pulling the plugs from the mast thus grounding communications.When the crisis would end, we definitely do not know. But one thing is certain, the hardship may continue till Monday before an economic policy could be put in place by the new administration. For me, if total removal of subsidy is what is required to put an end and re-occurrence to this fuel shortage, I am in total support of it or how pleasant does it sound to the ears that the 12th largest producer of petroleum and 8th largest exporter is selling petrol at N500 per litre ($2.51). That is totally embarrassing.
The situation is very annoying
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