By Bisola Adeyemo
Despite being an oil-producing country, Nigerians still face fuel shortages.
In most cases, a prospective change in pricing caused by the removal of fuel subsidies is usually the culprit.
Nigeria has faced fuel shortages since February after importing substandard fuel, resulting in weeks of severe scarcity and long queues at filling stations.
The shortage has seen transport costs rise, thereby affecting goods and commodities.
Currently, only 45% of Nigeria’s population is connected to the energy grid whilst power supply difficulties are experienced around 85% of the time and almost nonexistent in certain regions. At best, the average daily power supply is estimated at four hours.
Speaking with NatureNews on Friday, an Abuja resident, Mr. Adeyemi Solomon said the provision and availability of fuel should come with proactive measures.
“This has caused a hike in the prices of commodities and services. Government has to do something to ameliorate people’s suffering.”
Speaking on the way forward, Solomon urged the government to be proactive in solving electricity and fuel scarcity problems.
“Fix the oil and gas sector, then, ensure light is available during working hours.” he added.
Also, Madam Elizabeth Adedimeji said, “ Things are not the way we hoped and expected to be, our leaders should remember their promises during the election and save us from all these calamities.”
In his opinion, Mr. Elijah Edubi, Owner of San-Dezy waters stated that the light and fuel issues in the country, affect all sectors, ranging from commercial transportation to all commodities in the market.
He said, “ As a water producer, production of water has not been easy because we cannot produce water anymore due to light and fuel scarcity. It has made it even worse to produce.
“Now if we produce at the current economic realities, lots of people will not be able to afford it and the alternative for them is not World Health Organization (WHO) acceptable or recommended standards.”
He, therefore, urged the government to find a permanent solution to each issue before reaching an unbearable level.
