As the President Muhammadu Buhari begins his 2-day working visit to Kano today, fuel scarcity has hit the state resulting to cues at the few filling stations that have the commodity, Daily Trust can report.
Daily Trust observed that motorists and other petrol users started experiencing fuel scarcity in the state metropolis since last Friday even though its price stood at N143 per liter.
Our reporter, who went round the state metropolis, discovered that many filing stations were under lock and keys due to lack of fuel, while the few that have the commodity were battling with customers.
A motorist, Muhammad Auwal described the development as unfortunate, saying “It is very unfortunate that Kano is experiencing fuel scarcity at the time President Muhammadu Buhari is visiting the state.”
“I suspect that it is a deliberate effort to tarnish the image of the president politically. If not so why the scarcity will come at this time when the president is visiting the state and everybody knows that
Kano is Buhari’s political stronghold.”
Another driver, Isma’il Ibrahim blamed the Independent Marketers for the scarcity, saying the marketers wanted to create hardships to motorists.
He said, “These people wanted to make us suffer and that is why they stopped the supply. It is unfortunate that the independent marketers just last week announced that they will ensure speedy and adequate
supply of the commodity but instead of redeeming their pledge they completely stopped the supply.”
When contacted, the Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Kano state branch, Alhaji Ahmad Bashir Danmalam, confirmed shortage of the community in the state, but said
it was temporary.
Danmalam explained that the shortage was caused by private refineries that stopped the supply of the community to the state few days ago.
He said, “In addition to the shortage of supply, the private refineries have increased its price from N133 to N143. However, we were able to secure more supplies from Warri and Port-Harcourt refineries to address the situation. As am speaking to you now, 50 trucks are loading from Kano depot for onward distribution to various filling stations across the state,” he said.
