Panic, gridlock as fuel queues return to Lagos

 

Traffic gridlock has surfaced in many parts of Lagos metropolis as motorists and consumers on Tuesday, for the second day running, stormed fuel stations in panic buying of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise called petrol.

The effect was mostly felt in such areas such as: Lagos Island, Ikeja, Ojota, part of Alimosho, Agege, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, LASU-Iba Road, Ikoyi, among others.

Motorists were seen in the early hours, precisely, 6.30 am, queueing at Mobil Fuel Station, Council-Ikotun Road, Alimosho, where PMS was dispensed via only one nozzle point with four orders inactive.

Also at the fuel station on Egbeda road, Lagos, fuel attendants were seen turning back motorists from entering their premises claiming insufficient oil products.

The situation has resulted in total confusion and long queues of vehicles at various filling stations.

The scarcity situation was first noticed on Monday when long queues of vehicles dotted around fuel stations as motorists struggled to buy PMS, otherwise known as petrol, which was believed to have been escalated by increased demand of the product due to power blackout.

The long queues have been causing traffic gridlock at various locations with men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, seeming overwhelmed with high volume of vehicles.

Though, the situation seemed to be under control but it was projected that the development might get worse by Wednesday if the situation persists.

However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited, has allayed fears of any hitch in the supply of petroleum products with assurance of availability, despite reported cases of scarcity of the products, especially petrol, in some parts of the country.

In a tweet by King Adewale Ojomo, the current fuel scarcity being experienced in some parts of Lagos is attributed to importation of bad fuel in circulation that is capable of damaging the engine of vehicles.

Sources; Vanguard News Nigeria