Kaduna residents queuing for petrol at different filling stations across the metropolis have raised suspicions that marketers are diverting and hoarding the product.
The state had been experiencing petrol scarcity for about two weeks, causing a rise in transport fares by over 200 percent.
The motorists expressed displeasure at some filling stations that got a supply of fuel, served a few vehicles, only to tell others that fuel is finished.
According to Emmanuel Moses, Secretary of transport union in Kaduna, “Some filling stations diverted fuel, sold to roadside fuel sellers who charge exorbitant prices.”
According to him, those dubious staffs believe they can make quick money by diverting fuel to retailers who resell them in jerricans to motorists.
Also, lamenting on alleged diversion of fuel, a motorist, John Bimaga said when he was informed that a particular filling station in the state has fuel, he ran to the queue, adding that it was in his presence that the tank offloaded the fuel. But, after serving about 12 cars, and 11 motorcyclists, the manager announced that the fuel was finished.
According to him, many of them left immediately knowing that they purposely refused to sell.
“I was amazed when I heard that, a particular filling station is about to offload fuel. I ran quickly to the queue and I was the twentieth person on the queue. But after serving a few motorists, the manager announced to us that fuel is finished,” he lamented.
He called on the authority to always check the excesses of some filling stations in the state.
However, some filling station managers in the state denied hoarding/diverting fuel during an interview with DAILYPOST on Tuesday.
According to the manager, Denis filling station along Kachia road, Mr Jonathan Momoh, said once they get fuel, they sell to members of the public until it’s finished.
According to him, since they knew selling fuel in jerricans is prohibited in the state, they don’t even sell to motorcyclists, except cars, lorries and buses.
Also, Mr Hannahma Dongle, Manager, Doris filling station, Goni Gora, dismissed the claim of hoarding fuel saying that nobody will like to find trouble for himself this period when all eyes are set on filling stations.
