Despite promises to alleviate fuel queues by government authorities, Lagos residents have continued to endure long waits and escalating fuel prices at petrol stations across the state.
The Chief Executive Officer/Executive Secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Clement Isong, on Tuesday said that oil marketers are trying their best to reduce the queues.
“Since last Sunday, a lot has been done to eliminate queues as quickly as possible. Many of our members have been lifting the product.
“We have even put in place an arrangement that enables those without the product to borrow from those that have it,” Isong shared with The Vanguard.
Isaac Abiola, a delivery rider in Lagos who spoke to The Record, expressed frustration over the crippling effect of fuel prices on his livelihood.
“I spend hours waiting to buy fuel, wasting so much time. After all this hustle, no single profit because the fuel price has taken all my money,” Abiola lamented.
Lagos residents have taken to social media platforms to vent their frustrations about the fuel shortage and skyrocketing prices, with many sharing images and videos of crowded filling stations and chaotic scenes.
While sharing pictures of a crowded Mobil filling station filled with cars, Ishola Olumide, an X user gave an update about the situation at a fuel station in Obalende axis of Lagos Island.
“This morning at Obalende and I am sure this is Nationwide #Fuel scarcity. This economic hardship isn’t even mitigating one bit,” his tweet read.
https://x.com/isholaolumide/status/1785948153734111461?s=46&t=yhennlh1DRLP74BgVH72pA
Violence erupts at fuel stations: Man shot, police vehicles destroyed
Reports have emerged of violence at fuel stations, with an unidentified man shot during a scuffle at an NNPC station in Obalende, Lagos. There is also confusion about the identity of the shooter, with conflicting reports suggesting he may have been a policeman or a DSS operative.
An X user, Serah Ibrahim shared a video of enraged youths burning 2 Hilux vehicles belonging to the Police at Obalende as retaliation.
“The shooter fled the scene immediately, in a bid to escape.
“The youths in the area as an action (sic) to reciprocate the killing, burnt 2 Hilux belonging to Police/DSS. Currently, there is still a growing fire at the NNPC fuel station in Obalende and citizens are advised to stay safe and stay indoors until the situation is handled,” Ibrahim tweeted.
Several residents confirmed this incident on X, urging others to avoid the Obalende axis on Thursday morning.
Despite widespread reports of violence and unrest, there has been no official confirmation of the incidents from either the police or the Lagos State Government.