From the mainland to the highland, it was a tale of woes as most filling stations were shut to customers. Though, fuel attendants were seen standing on-guard at their duty post but not dispensing the product.
Though, the major cause of the partial scarcity is still shrouded in heresies. But the acting spokesman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Fidel Pepple, blamed the situation on the damaged corporation's pipeline by oil vandals at Arepo in Ogun State.
The NNPC spokesperson stated that the corporation is yet to fix the damaged pipeline following the killing of some of their officers by suspected bunkers deployed to effect repairs.
This development, Pepple said compelled the corporation to bridge products by trucks as against the pipeline.
But beyond this explanation, speculations were rife that the situation may degenerate as most major oil marketers refused to import fuel following the subsidy claims controversy they were embroiled in with the federal government.
However, in Lagos, none of the filling stations' managers were willing to comment on the situation. As at Monday morning, it has become glaring to Lagosians again, that the battle for fuel has began in earnest as the usual long queues were noticed at most filling stations that agreed to dispense the product.
Ikorodu Axis
As at last Sunday evening, virtually a handful of filling stations were sighted dispensing the product to motorists. But in Owode, Ajegunle, prospective buyers were disappointed as the filling stations in the area were closed to customers. A teenager who identified himself as Nnamdi expressed surprise at the sudden scarcity of fuel in the area and wondered if the situation was the same in the entire Lagos metropolis.
"My uncle sent me to buy fifteen litres of fuel to power our generator as we cannot store the product but all the filling stations were closed, not even the NNPC filling station at Novel drugs bus stop was opened to customers," Nnamdisaid.
Like the Nnamdi, other teenagers and adults alike were seen clutching different sizes of jerry cans searching for the product to power their generator as the community has been plunged into perpetual darkness for almost three months.
As at Monday morning, the situation assumed a different dimension as all the filling stations in Ikorodu axis were shut.Again, the fuel attendants were on guardbut not on duty.
By Tuesday, only few filling stations agreed to sell to customers while others maintained their hard stance ostensibly for pecuniary reasons. Ikorodu residents had to journey to Maryland and Anthony before they could get fuel to buy.
Saturday Vanguard investigations showed that the few filling stations which dispensed fuel only had just one or two of their pumping machines working while customers groaned under long queues. Beside, the attendants were requesting for pecks before fuel would be sold to anyone buyer.
A motorist who refused to part with some amount of money aside the cost ofthe litre of fuel purchased was not attended to. The young man who later identified himself simply as Bode, wondered why the extra payment.
"If they (Federal government or oil marketers) want to increase the pump price of fuel why not do it instead of thisunder-hand dealings," he said.
According to investigations, the amount of money requested for as gratifications depends largely on the litres of fuel bought. For 20 to 50 litres of fuel, customers were expected to pay N200) as pecks. But for 50 litres and above, the sum of N300 is requested as pecks. The fuel attendants made more money from those buying with jerry cans.
Apart from the filling station at Palm Groove in Onipan, the other filling stations along the Ikorodu axis were under lock and key as at last Thursday.
However, as at yesterday, Friday, some ofthe filling stations have stated dispensing the product with caution as only two pumping machines were functional.
Surulere
At Ojuelegba, the filling stations were completely closed. But feelers showed that they were operational at night. Some of the fuel attendants declined comment. But a security officer to one ofthe filling station who refused to keep sealed lips disclosed to Saturday Vanguard that they dispensed fuel only in the evenings at extra cost to the consumers.
However, at Lawson, the filling stations were selling fuel at N130 per litre. Though, they did not adjust their machines, but the cost was calculated with biro and paper. A visibly angry fuel attendant responded this way when queried why the sudden jerk in the pump price of fuel.
"Oga nobody is forcing anybody to buy at this rate. If you have a choice, then, gothere and let us be," he said.
A young man who gave his names as Justin Nwafor, said the case of those buying in jerry cans are even worse as they were forced to buy at 130-140 per litre.for more kindly visit www.vanguardngr.com