For decades, the festive month of December has gained notoriety for sporting long queues at fuel stations due to acute shortage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petroleum. This situation has, therefore, sparked fear that this year’s festive season could be marred by the scarcity of the product.
The re-emergence of queues at fuel stations in some parts of the country has thrown many citizens into a panic. Petrol scarcity is a malady and a serious economic problem in Nigeria.
After more than a year of relief from fuel scarcity in the country, many people are yet struggling to afford it. A serious need for petrol has resulted in the increasing demand for PMS, a factor that affects both its availability and affordability.
Filling stations in some parts of Lagos are experiencing long queues as many vehicles and individuals wait endlessly to get the product, some, however, have refused to sell Premium Motor Spirit to motorists.
Amidst this fear, NNPC has assured many citizens that there are sufficient products for the Yuletide it was importing about 100 percent of the petroleum products in the country, so people are advised not to be engaged in a panic buy as this might increase the economic condition.
We hope for a resolution, as successive governments have, often times, used it as a case for political advances, yet petrol scarcity remained an undefeatable macroeconomic monster in Nigeria.
Feature image credit: effiezy.com