- Fuel scarcity has hit major parts of Nigeria
- Citizens lament buying a liter of fuel at N300-N400 in many parts of the country
Following the current fuel scarcity in Lagos, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has warned motorists queuing up for fuel at different filling stations against causing traffic gridlock to other road users.
While speaking with newsmen on Wednesday, the General Manager of LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba, lampooned while deploying more officers to monitor traffic around filling stations across the state.
Oreagba disclosed that the deployment became imperative following reports of long queues around filling stations caused by motorists parking indiscriminately and blocking roads while queuing up and waiting to buy fuel.
He expressed displeasure at the disorderly behavior of some drivers, who queue up haphazardly and disrupt traffic flow around various petrol stations. He urged petrol marketers to ensure that products are sold in an orderly manner that would not infringe on the right of other road users to free movement.
“The scarcity of fuel being experienced is not an excuse to block and impede traffic flows across Lagos.
“We want our roads to be free; we do not want fuel queues to constitute a burden for other road users in Lagos,” Oreagba was quoted as saying in a statement by LASTMA Director, Public Affairs & Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq.
The General Manager reiterated that efficient traffic management has remained crucial in the attainment of a seamless multi-modal transportation system in Lagos.
He, however, sought maximum cooperation from the monitoring public to ensure that the ‘T.h.e.m.e.s’ agenda of the present administration yields positive results in terms of socio-economic development, as well security of lives and property.
You will recall that petrol scarcity hit different parts of Nigeria on Tuesday, forcing motorists to spend hours at filling stations while battling to get the product.Black marketers had a field day, selling a liter of fuel at N300-N400 in many parts of the country. Many motorists were forced to patronize them as the unpalatable alternative was to wait for hours in filling stations.
Amid long queues and waiting hours in Lagos, some filling stations sold a liter of the Premium Motor Spirit at N200/litre as against the approved price of N180-N185/litre.
A businessman, Kayode Oloriegbe, said he could not wait to buy from filling stations, but had to patronize a black marketer who sold at N300/litre.
“I was lucky to buy a 10-liter gallon at N3,500. Others said they bought at higher prices from the black marketers,” he said.
