By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
The price of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) has risen to N340 per litre in Dutse, Jigawa State’s capital.
The filling stations are selling the product at an exorbitant price of N340 per litre, while the Dutse NNPC mega station retail stations have been closed since Jan. 8 due to a fire outbreak.
Also, most of the filling stations within the city were not opened for a long period of time.
Motorists and commercial motorcyclists queued for hours to refuel their tanks at Awajil Global Resources, IMG Petroleum, Maruta Petroleum, and Investment, all on Ibrahim Aliyu’s bye-pass.
Also on Olusegun Obasanjo Road, Audu Manager filling station and AA Kankani Nig. Ltd. had long lines of vehicles and were selling the same product at the same price.
Filling stations on Ibrahim Aliyu Bypass, such as A.S.A. Oil Nig. Ltd., B.A. Bello Nig. Ltd., and Matrix, were either out of stock or selling the product.
Majority of motorists who spoke with newsmen were dissatisfied with the product’s lack of availability.
A motorist, Malam Aminu Muhammad, described the situation as frustrating and urged the Federal Government and other authorities to find long-term solutions.
Also commenting, Muhammad Askira, said the Federal Government should ensure that security agencies monitor the filling stations and that products are sold at the approved price.
Also, a farmer, Ahmad Rufa’i, said the ugly situation was making him produce at a loss.
“I plant wheat and maize, and every week I need at least 20 litres to water my farms. And I need to water these two farms at least 20 times.
“So how much money do you expect me to spend on fuel alone, not to mention transport and other logistics? Most of us are doing this farming without any certainty of whether we gain or we lose,” Rufa’i said.
The management of the filling stations declined comments on the sad situation, because “we are not authorised to speak to the press”.
NAN
