Fuel scarcity has continued to cripple economic and social activities in Sokoto State despite the suspension of the nationwide strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). Residents have expressed frustration as long queues persist at filling stations, with many stations either closed or selling at exorbitant prices far above the official pump rate.
A visit to major filling stations across Sokoto metropolis on Friday revealed chaotic scenes as motorists and commercial tricycle operators struggled to buy fuel. Some stations that managed to open were reportedly selling petrol between N850 and N1,000 per litre, while others claimed to have run out of stock. The scarcity has led to a sharp increase in transportation fares and a hike in the prices of essential goods and services across the state.
Motorists who spoke to journalists lamented the worsening situation, describing it as a test of endurance despite earlier assurances that normal supply would resume following the strike suspension. A commercial driver, Musa Aliyu, said he spent over six hours in a queue without success. “They said the strike has been called off, but fuel is still not available. We are suffering because even black market fuel is now too expensive,” he complained.
Similarly, residents have accused some independent marketers of hoarding petroleum products to create artificial scarcity. Reports indicate that some filling stations have resorted to night sales, taking advantage of the situation to exploit desperate buyers. Black marketers are now selling a 10-litre jerrycan of petrol for as high as N10,000, worsening the plight of the public.
In response, the Sokoto State chapter of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has vowed to clamp down on defaulting marketers and ensure compliance with the approved pump price. An official who spoke on condition of anonymity said enforcement teams had been dispatched to monitor fuel distribution and sanction stations found hoarding or selling above the regulated price. “We are aware of the challenges, but measures are being taken to restore normal supply and discipline erring operators,” he said.
Despite the interventions, fuel supply remains irregular, with tanker drivers citing delays in loading at depots and poor road conditions as major constraints. Some dealers also attributed the scarcity to logistics bottlenecks and rising operational costs, which they claim have made it difficult to maintain regular deliveries to northern states.
As the situation persists, residents of Sokoto are calling on the federal government to urgently intervene and address the lingering distribution challenges. Many fear that if the crisis continues unchecked, it could further worsen inflation, disrupt economic activities, and increase hardship for ordinary Nigerians already battling high living costs.
