Fuel subsidy: Long lines resurface in Osun

Long lines have begun forming again at most of the fuel stations in Osogbo, which is the capital of the state of Osun. This occurred three days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced that the fuel subsidy regime would be suspended.

At certain petrol stations, customers driving their own vehicles could be seen in a state of panic as they attempted to find parking spots while simultaneously making panic purchases.

This occurs in spite of a warning issued by the government of Osun State to businesses that sell Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, which was not heard.

The government disclosed that it possessed credible information that some petroleum market participants were planning to hoard the product and added that doing so was an act of sabotage as well as unpatriotic behaviour.

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In addition, it stated that the Special Monitoring Team on Fuel Scarcity was still effective and would not be afraid to use its powers in the event of a fuel shortage.

At his inauguration on Monday, President Tinubu made the announcement that the country’s fuel subsidy programme would be suspended.

Tinubu argued that the reason he is overthrowing the regime is that it can no longer be maintained in Nigeria at this time and that this is the reason for his decision.

It was reported that employees of the Department of Petroleum Resources, also known as the DPR, temporarily shut down the Oduoye fuel station in the Fakunle Area on Tuesday for attempting to sell fuel for more than N250 per gallon.

In order for the DPR to unseal the station and allow for business to resume, it was necessary for customers to get involved.

Along the Gbongan-Ibadan road in Osogbo, there were also reports of long lines forming at gas stations such as Adolak and Matrix.

Jamiu Mohammed, a customer, stated that he noticed the sale of petrol being conducted intermittently at the majority of the petrol stations that he stopped at.

“I observed that they would sell fuel for a while, but after a while, they would stop and wait for additional instructions from their managers.

“Clients were just going from one petrol station to the other looking for the product, and this is what led to panic buying among the buyers,” he said. “Customers were just going from one fuel station to the other looking for the product.”

Wasiu Akintunde, who works as a commercial transporter, admitted that he did not have a choice but to stand in a queue with his coworkers in order to purchase petrol for his vehicle.

“The vast majority of my coworkers are currently waiting in a queue at various filling stations so that they can purchase the item at the standard price before it is eventually raised.

“All that we are requesting is a temporary reprieve whenever the fuel subsidy is eliminated. According to what he said, “We do not want any more difficult than what we are currently experiencing.”

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According to Steven Adeleke, he was in a hurry to get petrol for his vehicle in order to beat the anticipated increase in the price at the pump.

“The number is expected to rise. When it does, at least I will have some quantity available for use before I begin to feel the impact, whether it be positive or negative,” he said. “When it does.”