By George Onah
Acute kerosene scarcity has hit Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and environs, causing hardship to consumers, particularly housewives, as well as triggering a spate of kerosene explosions in rural parts of the state.

Vanguard gathered that the lack has caused the price of the commodity to rise, following which a 20-litre of it cost N4, 300 against the normal price of N2, 400, while a bottle now goes for N350 against the former prices of between N100 and N150.

Consequent upon the scarcity, a large quantity of adulterated kerosene has found its way into the state. Also, consumers have resorted to the use of equally scarce firewood, thereby causing deforestation.

A check at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Mega Station, along Lagos Street, Port Harcourt, showed that the commodity was being sold to “known customers”, only for these buyers to sell at about four times the amount it was bought at the station.

As a result, if it is bought at N1, 500 at N50 per litre at NNPC station, the commodity is then marketed at N4, 500 to third party buyers. None of the staff of the station was willing to talk to Vanguard, directing this correspondent to an elusive manager.

Two cases of kerosene explosions, involving a grandmother and a widow, were reported in Akokwa and Emakalakala Streets of Diobu Community, over the weekend, arising from the adulterated kerosene that may have found its way into the city.

Also, the scarcity of petrol that was witnessed after the Easter holiday has not abated as many filling stations are yet to commence sales of petrol. Pockets of black markets have since sprung up along Station Bus Stop area and around Leventis Motors and environs.