Long queues have surfaced at filling stations across the Bauchi metropolis, signalling a scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol.

A correspondent who monitored the situation on Tuesday reported that most stations were out of stock of the product.

The few available stations dispensed petrol between N730 and N750 per litre, while a litre sold at N1,000 at the black market outlets.

The situation led to queues in the few stations, creating panic buying in the metropolis.

Commenting on the situation, Adamu Garba, a motorist, said he experienced difficulties accessing petrol due to the scarcity.

He said the situation had forced motorists to hike transport fares, adding that ” getting petrol now is so hard.

“Most filling stations are not selling, and there are long queues in ones selling”.

Bello Giade, another motorist, blamed petroleum marketers for hoarding the product, resulting in scarcity.

He said the situation exposed them to more pain and affected transportation services.

Also, Sani Abdullahi, an official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Gombe Road Motor Park branch, dismissed insinuations over the hike in transport fares.

“We are charging normal transport fare for now. We are still studying the situation to see what will happen before we make a decision,” he said. 

Reacting, Rabiu Baba, the chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Bauchi State chapter, attributed the scarcity to the Easter and Sallah breaks.

Mr Baba said there was a low supply of the product in the area as most of the tanker drivers and staff had yet to resume work after the festivities.

“Bad roads and security situations also delayed the drivers, especially when returning from the west to the northern part of the country.

“It is not peculiar to the independent marketers alone; major marketers are also facing the same problem,” he said. 

He, however, said the product would soon be available as the supply improved. 

(NAN)