Fuel Scarcity Paralyzes Kano City, Commuters Stranded
By Salisu Hamisu Ali
A severe shortage of commercial vehicles has hit the streets of Kano City, as fuel scarcity continues to grip several states in Nigeria. The scarcity, attributed to a combination of factors including supply logistics issues, has left commuters stranded and businesses struggling.
The shortage has been particularly pronounced in areas with high commercial activity, such as the bustling markets and transportation hubs. Commuters, already grappling with rising transportation costs due to inflation, are now facing longer wait times and overcrowded vehicles.
Transportation unions have reported a significant decrease in the number of vehicles operating, with many drivers unable to afford the exorbitant prices of fuel in the black market. Hamza Ibrahim, an Adaidaita Sahu Rider, lamented the situation, stating, “We are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain our operations.
The cost of fuel has skyrocketed, and many riders can’t afford it anymore.” Another rider, Usman Isah, added that they waste half their time at filling stations struggling to get fuel even at high prices.
Despite NNPCL petrol outlets dispensing at N617 per liter, with longer queues, the price of fuel has increased to N1,000 per liter at some filling stations.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has stated that the petrol scarcity, currently spreading to more states across the country, will take at least two weeks to normalize.
According to IPMAN’s Public Relations Officer, Chinedu Ukadike, the product is currently unavailable in the country due to challenges in sourcing caused by ongoing maintenance at refineries in Europe.
“The situation is that there is no product. Once there is a lack of supply or inadequate supply, what you will see is scarcity, and queues will emerge at filling stations”
“Although the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has affirmed that it possesses sufficient supply of the product, the ongoing shortage has disrupted the supply chain” he said.
Ukadike added that most refineries in Europe are undergoing turnaround maintenance, making it difficult to source petroleum products.
Motorists were seen stranded, with some residents resorting to trekking long distances across various parts of Kano City.
Businesses that rely on transportation for their operations are feeling the pinch, with Adam Ibrahim, a wholesaler in Sabon Gari Market, expressing concerns about the scarcity disrupting their supply chain.
The shortage of commercial vehicles has also impacted daily commuters, many of whom rely on public transportation to get to work, school, or run errands. With fewer vehicles available, long queues at bus stops and taxi ranks have become a common sight, causing frustration among residents.
As the fuel scarcity persists, residents of Kano continue to grapple with the consequences, hoping for a swift resolution to the crisis that has disrupted their daily lives.
