As fuel scarcity bites harder across the country, Benue state inclusive, residents of Makurdi, the state capital, are beginning to count losses.
Those who spoke to the The Next Edition called on the federal government to ensure steady supply of the petroleum products to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.
Our correspondent who went round Makurdi town observed that while most fuel stations were deserted for not having fuel at all, entrances of others were closed with expectant buyers queuing up and waiting for attendants for hours.
In a few fuel stations where they were selling, our correspondent also observed that they were selling with just one pump even though they have more that 10 fuel pumps, making the situation more chaotic.
At one of the fuel station in Makurdi, Jenny Fuel Station, a motorist, Pastor Jennifer Iorhemba, lamented the difficulties she had been through to buy fuel.
“I have been here for one hour and 30 minutes and I’m still waiting. I have been to three other fuel stations, this is the fourth one.
“In the other ones, they even locked the gate that you won’t enter, you queue outside. I have been begging to know whether I should go or wait, they said they don’t know and they can’t promise me so I should wait. It was a long queue and I was there for one hour before someone directed me to come here.”
Pastor Jenny, a proprietress, in Makurdi, told our correspondent that, “this is really taking our time. I have a school and now, first assessment is going on. I need to be there to monitor it but I’m here. We are even cutting down on other expenses just to buy fuel.
“Whatever is the problem that the situation has become like this, the federal government should release the fuel. We are hungry enough. Fuel should not be our hunger. Please help us tell them,” she appealed.
Another resident, Mrs Ruth Baaki lamented the high cost of transportation following the fuel scarcity.
She said the places where she pays N100 or N200 to get to has increased by 50 percent in the last three days.
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A motorcyclist who simply identified himself as Terry also lamented that the scarcity is affecting his business. “I didn’t go to pick the children I used to take to school every day. I called their parents to find someone else for today because I didn’t have fuel.
“We don go school no work and this small work that we are doing, make government help us supply fuel abeg,” Terry said.
Meanwhile, the station manger at Jenny Fuel Station, Mr. Otajele Onuh, said the station has continued to sell fuel from 8am to 6pm since Monday.
Mr Onuh who noted that the last supply was since last week said they are not getting enough supply to serve the public better and therefore expressed worry that if they don’t get supplies by Friday, the fuel they have will be exhausted and the station closed.
