Every end-of- the -year in the country like we are gradually approaching the close of 2022, usually witnesses fuel scarcity of immense proportion across the country. That Nigerians are currently battling yet another fuel crisis at this time of the year may not be surprising, simply because the president, Muhammadu Buhari, who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum has not come clear to tell Nigerians why they cannot have constant fuel supplies round the year. The challenge on the oil sector in Nigeria, the sixth oil producing nation in the world has become a huge joke, especially when the government has failed to name those who are not only behind the sufferings of the poor masses, but are bent on crippling the economy of the country. One expects that with the privatisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Nigerians would heave a sigh of relief, but the challenge has remained unabated, unfortunately. Today, a litre of fuel is sold between N250 and N270, depending on where you are buying from in the country.
This is aside from the long queues at filling stations by motorists and other users of the product waiting to buy the commodity. What is surprising is that while motorists are finding it difficult to buy the product for their vehicles, those who sell in Jerry cans are seen almost everywhere, and hanging around filling stations, selling to those that cannot wait for long hours. This is the situation almost everywhere in the country. Looking at the current fuel scarcity, the question now is; why all these politicking when the average Nigerian is suffering? That the government still subsidises this product, yet the people cannot have regular supply of the commodity should get everyone worried on what is really going on, especially now that the country is getting set for the 2023 general election. Surprisingly, after repeated fuel crises in the country, the government has not found enough reasons to ensure that NNPC depots are functional, instead, the products are stored in over189 tank farms that are privately owned. It is very ridiculous that an essential product like petroleum which is the life wire of the country is concentrated in the hands of few individuals, without recourse to the feelings of the generality of Nigerians. The excuses given by NNPC that pipelines are not working because of the unwholesome activities of the pipeline vandals are not convincing enough, seeing the sufferings Nigerians are subjected to everyday. Looking at fuel scarcity again It is imperative this time for government to look inward, at least to put in place interim measures in addressing the current fuel scarcity because it would be difficult for the present government to deal with the matter decisively, especially now that the regime is counting down.
With the enormous oil deposits, given also the recent discovery of oil in Bauchi and Gombe States in large quantities, the government should realise that something is fundamentally wrong in the oil sector if Nigerians cannot walk up to the filling stations to buy this product at will and affordable rate, no matter what. The time has come not to shy away from the truth but to name those who have continued to feed fat on our common patrimony while the larger population groans. It is time for the government to call the stakeholders meeting and tell Nigerians what the problem is and stop looking the other way at the alarming rates Nigerians are buying the products. The forthcoming election calls for vigilance and that things work optimally in the system, including the supply of fuel. Without the product people would find it difficult to move from one location to another, especially now that the yuletide period is around the corner. Above all, those who have held the country down under the guise of fuel importation should loosen their grip, so that Nigerians can breathe for once.
