In spite of reassurances by the federal government of Nigeria that it will no longer remove fuel subsidy this year as it earlier intended, fuel queues returned to filling stations in the country’s capital Abuja on Wednesday.
The queues started Tuesday morning and continued through Wednesday. Many filling stations in Jabi, Wuse and Lugbe areas of the city sold the product at prices ranging from N162 to N165.
Black marketeers were also seen selling the product in jerry cans to motorists and other consumers along Lugbe and Kubwa axis.
In November 2021, the Nigerian government announced its plan to remove fuel subsidy and replace it with a monthly N5000 transport grant to indigent Nigerians.
In response, the Nigeria Labour Congress slated January 27 and February 2 for protests across 36 states against the subsidy removal.
The government through the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed on Monday announced a reversal of its proposed subsidy removal, stating that it will retain fuel subsidy indefinitely and will work on amending the 2022 budget to provide funds in that regard.
According to the Minister of Finance, the Nigerian government realised the timing of its planned removal of petrol subsidy is “problematic”, and will worsen the suffering of Nigerians.
On Tuesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) announced it had suspended its proposed nationwide protest action over petrol subsidy removal.
Some hawkers were spotted in front of the Nipco filling station, at Jabi and Major oil Limited airport junction selling the product in 10-litre jerry cans for N3,000 – N3,500 to motorists, who could not stay in queues at the filling station.
On Wednesday evening, the NNPC through its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Garba Deen Muhammad cautioned sellers and buyers against hoarding and panic-buying. The corporation said it has sufficient petrol stock to meet the needs of Nigerians.
NNPC in a statement said, “Please do not panic, NNPC Ltd wishes to assure the public that the Company has sufficient PMS stock to meet the needs of Nigerians.
“The public is therefore advised not to engage in panic buying of petrol and to ignore all rumours that may suggest otherwise…”