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The rise in the price of petrol has reduced the level of patronage at filling stations as Nigerians grapple with the ripple effects of the government’s decision on fuel subsidy removal.
Checks by our correspondents on Wednesday revealed that due to the N537 new pump price of fuel introduced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), many filling stations in the territory now record fewer customers.
In most of the stations, the product was available but motorists bought less petrol, describing full tank purchases as avoidable luxury.
It was learnt many others had parked their vehicles at home, while others used theirs when it was absolutely necessary.
Civil servants who could not afford to go out have resorted to staying at home even without permission from their employers.
Those who have personal businesses only go out when there are no options; a development that has rendered highways less busy.
A manager at a filling station in Kano who pleaded anonymity, said they used to sell out their stock within two days before, but “it is now a week and we still have the commodity.
“If you see anyone filling up his tank, look at the type of the car, it will definitely belong to a government official, politician or an influential person.”
Pump attendants at some filling stations described the new development as “scary”, saying patronage had dropped by over 50 per cent.
Adeyemi Joy, an attendant at Shema Filling Station, along Kubwa-Zuba Expressway, said “Many of our customers now buy between N5, 000 and N10, 000 fuel and this is below half tank considering the current price.”
Another fuel attendant who did not want his name in print, said, “It is a surprise to us that most of our big customers who used to be regular here have not been regular anymore since the fuel price increase. Even when they come, they no longer pay to fill their tanks.”
Peoplesmind
