A biting fuel shortage in Nigeria has hampered Christmas celebrations for thousands of motorists who had travel plans to link up with their families or friends.
The situation in the West African nation, a leading oil producer in the continent, has left many Nigerians angered even as President Muhammadu Buhari sought to assure his countrymen that there is enough fuel for the festive period and beyond.
Many Nigerians took to social media to air their frustrations, prompted not just by the lack of fuel, but also by the exorbitant prices they have to pay for it when they find it.
Reports indicate that customers now have to pay between $0.70 and $0.80 per litre of petrol, against the official pump price of less than $0.40.
This has then had a direct effect on public transport as fares have shot up by between 50 and 70 per cent.
To make matters worse, there are reports of people hoarding the commodity to sell at a later date at even higher prices.
In a statement on Sunday, Buhari said he was being briefed on the measures taken by the petroleum authorities to tackle the scarcity.
“The fuel scarcity being experienced nationwide is regrettable. I sympathize with all Nigerians,on having to endure needless fuel queues. I’m being regularly briefed, especially on the NNPC’s interventions to ensure that there is enough petrol available during this period & beyond,” he said.
He added that action would be taken against those hoarding the commodity.
“I have also directed the regulators to step up their surveillance and bring an end to hoarding and price inflation by marketers,” Buhari said.
Here is a sample of some reactions from Nigerians on Twitter;
“@Afrisay__: The countless man hours that will be spent at petrol stations today,will reduce our productivity as a nation. This should not be so. – PMB 🇳🇬 #fuelscarcity”
— Jonathan Wright (@swizzybop203) December 24, 2017
With the way things are going, fuel is the best Christmas gift anyone can get. #FuelScarcity
— Oleh Ugonna Queen (@Ug_darlin) December 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/SweetShantel/status/944801440672993280
I can't believe my ears right now. A beggar soliciting for money from someone beside me just prayed: 'you'll get petrol in Jesus name'
Valid prayer I guess 😂 #FuelScarcity— Samuel Olumide (@Olumide_Fab) December 21, 2017
A country that is powered by generator should never have fuel scarcity for a day but no Nigeria will just defy every logic #fuelscarcity.
— Emi-omo-olorun (@sufianuopeyemi) December 24, 2017
'Change' is when you are paying the cost of flight for a bus trip. Nigerians have been robbed of their hard earnings this Christmas. #FuelScarcity
— Philip Asuquotes (@PhilAsuquOtes) December 24, 2017
