Black marketers are having a field day in Adamawa as petrol is now sold for N5,000 per gallon in the northeast state.
The situation is fueled by the continuous shutdown of filling stations in Adamawa State by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
The closing down of all the filling stations is sequel to a protest by IPMAN accusing members of Operation Whirlwind of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) for illegal harassment and confiscation of goods.
New Telegraph reports that the price of four litres of petrol spiked to #5000 while twenty-five litres of the product is sold at #35,000, making the black marketers stretch out into all the major streets in the State Capital, Yola.
Following IPMAN action, all filling stations in the state were forcibly closed providing the businesses a very conducive environment to operate leaving commuters stranded in their attempts to reach their destinations.
However, with fuel shortages affecting transport services, the few available tricycles (Keke Napep) riders hiked fares by up to 200 per cent, rendering transportation unaffordable for many residents, especially civil servants.
According to Comrade Abdulmaliki Bello, Secretary of IPMAN in Adamawa State, IPMAN has constantly maintained and accused customs officers under the code name “Operation Whirlwind” for not conducting lawful operations.
”Instead, they are confiscating, harassing our members as well as intimidating and the illegal seizure of tankers and petroleum products thereby causing significant financial losses to their detriment,” he said.
IPMAN therefore issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian Customs Service, demanding adherence to legal procedures to avoid further disruptions that could lead to industrial actions within the petroleum supply chain.
He also assured the citizens of the State that the situation would soon improve due to the intervention of the State Deputy Governor and other Stakeholders, adding that all the filling stations would be reopened anytime from now.
