Deregulation: Fuel scarcity hits Lagos

Sola Oluwadare, Lagos - 01.11.2009

Many Lagosian motorists besieged filling stations across the state to buy petroleum products, particularly the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) . The panic buying, which started in Abuja on Friday, was extended to Lagos as motorists in the metropolis rushed to the stations so as not to be caught unawares.

The development, Sunday Tribune learnt was not unconnected with the announcement made by federal government officials weeks ago that the total deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry would begin on November 1.

Though government officials have disowned the said date, and have said the policy would commence by January 2010, Nigerians seem not to be satisfied with the explanation.

In some filling stations, long queues were noticed, while station attendants had hectic time attending to motorists.

Some filling stations refused to sell fuel,while the managers of most of these stations refused to speak on their action.

At filling stations in Ikeja, Opebi, Agege, Iyana Ipaja, Maryland, N65 was still displayed by the stations, but the motorists had to buy engine oil compulsorily, or ‘dropped’ an extra amount before they could be attended to.

In a statement issued by Yusuf Muazu, an official of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) it said it was not true that the agency had been directed not to import petroleum products as a clear indication that a new price was in the offing.