As long queues of commercial and private vehicles, as well as motorcycles and tricycles returned to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the lingering petrol scarcity hitting the state and other parts of the country.
The long queues at various petrol stations were seen early in the morning and persisted till late in the evening.
It was gathered that the queues were as a result of the scarcity of petroleum, also known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State.
Major marketers such as NNPCL is still selling at the rate of N580, while the independent marketers were selling between N700 and N800 in the areas visited.
NUJ’s state chairman, Comrade Ademola Babalola noted that the lingering petrol scarcity in Ibadan and other parts of the state has brought untold hardship on the people.
Babalola, who lamented the scarcity and price hike from N750 to N800 per liter, said it had exacerbated the economic crisis and unfavourable inflation rates in the state.
He expressed concern over the suffering of ordinary citizens who were bearing the brunt of the scarcity and called on the relevant authorities to take urgent action to address the situation.
The NUJ chairman urged government to find a lasting solution to the recurring petrol scarcity and price hike, which he described as a major setback to the economic development of the state and the country at large.
The union’s condemnation was as many residents of Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State continue to struggle to access petrol, with many filling stations either closed or selling the product at exorbitant prices.
