By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja are now on forced “Lock Down” following persistent scarcity of petroleum products.
Since weekend, filling stations in the metropolis and satellite towns have remained closed as many of them are no longer dispensing petrol to motorists.
Although, the few that manage to open for business have jerked up pump prices of the Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) from the recommended N162 per litre to over N180 per litre, motorists can still not have easy access in and out the filling stations.
Prompt News reports that most civil servants especially those who do not have their own vehicles are now at the mercy of commercial drivers and tricycle riders who are charging astronomical fares now in Abuja.
A cab ride from Julius Berger roundabout to Area 1 which hitherto cost N50 is now N100 while from Galadimawa to Lugbe has gone from N100 to N150.
Also, cost of food items have skyrocketed in FCT as market men and women have increased the prices of goods in the face of fuel scarcity that has hit Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) has since renounced that they are not going to increase pump prices of products in May but petroleum products marketers and filling station owners are still doing abracadabra to Nigerians.
