December 24, the eve of Xmas. The need for fuel to move around called for frantic search. I heard earlier from the Information Minister that the fuel scarcity was because of hoarding of fuel by marketers awaiting government’s announcement of opportunities to make more money. I thought that driving 10 km from my location to NNPC mega-station at Madugu would provide succour. Usually, hoarding would not be an issue and pumps would be working at NNPC stations. I met a short queue on arrival at the station. After a while, the cars started to leave the queue. I went to the operatives to ask what the situation was. I was told the remaining fuel was on reserve for some selected cars and they were dispensing into a few ‘jerry cans’. Nine fuel tankers were parked around the premises. I asked whether the tankers were going to discharge their fuel so that I could wait or come back later. I was shocked to hear that they were empty and could not go back to the fuel depot because there was no diesel for them to drive back. I gave up my effort. Now, I hear that NUPENG is probably on strike.
Goodluck! Have a pleasant holiday.
