Long queues have reappeared at filling stations across Lagos State, sparking fears of an imminent fuel scarcity among residents.
Extensive queues have been building up at several filling stations, contributing to traffic congestion in affected areas.
Punch reports that at the AP filling station in Alapere, commuters faced delays in their journeys as motorists and individuals vied to purchase fuel, leading to traffic gridlock. The station eventually ceased fuel dispensation later in the day.
Similar scenes were also seen at the Conoil filling station in Alapere and the TotalEnergies station in the vicinity, where long queues formed, exacerbating the shortage of available fuel.
Several stations, including the NNPC outlet at Fadeyi, reported non-availability of petrol by midday, further exacerbating the scarcity situation.
The NIPCO filling station also experienced a surge in vehicle queues, while similar scenes played out at the AP fuel station in Onipanu.
Meanwhile, major filling stations such as Mobil at Palmgrove, Alausa, and Mile 2 did not commence petrol sales on Friday, compounding the scarcity issue.
Similarly, stations along the Mowe-Ibafo route in Ogun State, including NNPC, Mobil, TAS, NIPCO, Enyo, As-Salam, reported a lack of petrol supply.
The situation also impacted commercial activities, with reduced numbers of commercial vehicles operating due to the fuel shortage.
At Mile 2, reports emerged of black market petrol sales at inflated prices, with some vendors selling at N800 per litre. This prompted some commuters and commercial bike riders to purchase fuel from unofficial sources since Wednesday.
The resurgence of fuel scarcity comes despite assurances from the National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, who had expressed optimism about normalizing the supply situation after the Easter break.
