Commercial activities came to a standstill, yesterday, in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State capital, and its environs, following the shortage of fuel commodity in most of the fuel stations in the state. When Vanguard visited some of the filling stations in the state capital yesterday, there were long queues of motorists and motorcyclists waiting to buy the product, which was sold between 170 and 180 per litre.
It was learned that the scarcity started since Monday, when people woke up to discover long queues at some filling stations. A commercial driver, Malam Buhari Gwadangwaji told Vanguard: “Why this shortage in Birnin Kebbi, when, as we were told, the product is available in neighbouring states?” Also, a motorcyclist told Vanguard that “there is no reason whatsoever for the shortage of the product since the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, made it clear that there was fuel available for distribution.” Asked why the price increased, a fuel attendant at a filling station in Birnin Kebbi said: “We increased the price because of the distance from where we are getting the product.” All efforts by Vanguard to speak with the Chairman of Task Force on Supply of Fuel in Kebbi State, Alhaji Babangida Mai’ahu, over the development failed.
Source: Vanguard
