In the heart of Ilorin, a familiar sight has returned long queues winding through fuel stations, as the spread of petrol scarcity grips the city and the entire oil-rich nation.
In Ilorin, the rising cost of fuel is becoming a heavy burden for residents.
At major marketers’ fuel stations, prices of petrol have surged, with a liter selling for anywhere between ₦640 and ₦680.
In some stations owned by independent fuel marketers, the situation is even more alarming.
Prices have skyrocketed to as much as ₦900, ₦950, or even ₦1000.
As the scarcity spreads, many fuel stations across the Kwara State Capital have shut their doors, claiming their tanks have run dry.
Tajudeen Balogun, a manager at one of the independent stations, expressed his deep frustration.
“There’s no more importation or loading of petrol in Lagos,” he lamented.
He explained that the NNPC had become the sole importer of petrol, leaving stations like his in a tough spot.
The outlook remains bleak, with Balogun suggesting that only the revival of Nigeria’s four local refineries could bring relief.
‘Only God Can Rescue Us’
Meanwhile, a high-ranking official at a TotalEnergies Station in Ilorin, who choose to remain anonymous expressed confusion over the root cause of the scarcity.
“All I know is that we can’t load fuel in Lagos because it’s simply not available,” he said.
“Only God can rescue us from this situation,” he added.
The ripple effects of the petrol scarcity are already spreading across the city, creating a wave of challenges for residents.
As petrol prices continue to climb, the cost of transportation has surged in tandem.
This has placed an extra burden on the city’s commuters.
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Commercial cab drivers, who depend on affordable fuel to make a living, now find themselves in a tough spot, forced to increase fares just to break even.
The same struggles are shared by Okada riders and tricycle operators, who are feeling the pitch as well.
For many, the situation is unbearable.
Drivers openly express their frustration, as rising costs push their earnings to the brink.
What was once manageable has turned into a daily struggle.
The soaring fares are hitting passengers hard, making basic journeys difficult to afford.
As the crisis deepens, the strain on life in Ilorin is indeed clear.
