CurrentReport Blog In recent developments, residents of Badagry, Lagos, found themselves stranded on Tuesday due to a severe shortage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. A NAN correspondent who observed the situation reported that the scarcity led to a significant disruption in transportation services, leaving many workers and business people stranded at various bus stops.
The scarcity of commercial vehicles in the area resulted in an increase in transport fares, with prices skyrocketing to as high as N1,000 per liter of petrol. Consequently, the fare for commuting from Badagry to Mile 2 surged from N800 to N1,500, adding to the financial burden of residents already grappling with the effects of the scarcity.
At popular bus stations such as Aradagun, Mowo, and Agemowo, residents were seen grappling to secure limited seats in taxis and commercial buses. Mr. Johnson Afilaka, a resident of Badagry, expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting the need for government intervention in providing alternative transportation solutions such as Lagos BRT buses.
The scarcity also affected individuals who relied on personal vehicles for commuting. Mrs. Christiana Adigun, a staff member of the National Population Commission (NPC), lamented the difficulty in obtaining petrol for her car, despite being willing to purchase it at exorbitant prices. Additionally, the scarcity exacerbated the challenge of finding commercial vehicles for commuting to work.
Reports indicate that only a few fuel stations, including the NNPC fuel station at Aradagun and the Mobil fuel station in Badagry, were selling petrol at official prices. However, independent marketers were selling the product at inflated prices ranging from N950 to N1,000 per liter.
Motorists queued for hours at fuel stations, with some expressing frustration over the preferential treatment given to cross-border illegal petrol dealers. These dealers often purchase large quantities of petrol for resale in neighboring countries, exacerbating the scarcity for local residents.
In light of the situation, motorists like Mrs. Funke Alabi called for increased oversight by security agents to prevent exploitation by petrol pump attendants. Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu Adelani, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers in Badagry, attributed the scarcity to the lack of product availability at NNPC tank farms, urging for increased supply to alleviate the crisis not only in Lagos but also across Nigeria.
