Fuel queues resurface in Ondo as panic buying, filling station closures bite

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Long queues returned to filling stations in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Tuesday as panic buying and sudden station closures sparked fears of a fresh fuel scarcity.

WESTERN POST observed heavy gridlock along major roads, especially Oba Adesida Road, where motorists scrambled to buy Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at the few outlets still dispensing.

The situation worsened after several filling stations, including Optima and MRS, shut their gates against desperate buyers.

NNPC’s station in the SO area was overwhelmed by massive crowds, while others in Oke Aro, Oke Ijebu, Oba Ile, Ilesha Garage, Shagari/Express Road and Lafe also suspended operations.

At the Bovas station in Oke Ijebu, attendants turned back motorists as the management closed the premises.

The scarcity scare comes amid looming industrial action by tanker drivers under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

A commercial driver, Tayo, said, “I rushed down to buy fuel because I heard there will be scarcity starting from today. You can see how people are rushing to get the product.”

A passenger, Mrs Grace Abimbola, lamented, “A drop that normally costs ₦200 was charged at ₦250 today because of the scarcity.”