Long queues return to filling stations in Yenagoa

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
Black market operators yesterday had a field day as long queues returned to filling stations in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital and its environs.

No fewer than six filling stations including the NNPC mega filling stations were opened for business while the other retail outlets were under lock and keys due to non availability of petroleum products.

It was also observed that as the long queues resurfaced across the filling stations in the state, black market operators have become the major suppliers of petroleum products.

Jerry cans of different sizes from black marketers now donned the nooks and crannies of the state capital.

This reporter who went round town observed that none of the filling stations on the stretch of the busy Isaac Boro highway had fuel to sell to members of the public.

Also, the situation was not different on the Edepie-Ovom stretch of the Mbiama-Yenagoa road.

Interestingly, fuel hawkers could be seen some distance away from the closed filling stations selling to stranded motorists between N2500 and N3000 for a 20-litre jerry can.

The scarcity it was learnt was further compounded by the recent closure of about five filling stations in town by the Department of Petroleum Resources over alleged sharp practices.

The few filling stations having petroleum products were besieged by army of anxious motorists and other product users.

While the NNPC stations were selling at the official pump N65 per litre price others were selling between N70 and N75 per litre.

Attempt to get the comment of the DPR officials in the state proved abortive but an impeccable source blamed the development on panic buying on the part of motorists saying though some of the retail outlets might have exhaust their supply the situation does not warrant panic buying as the NNPC stations have enough supply to meet the need of motorists.