By Our Staff Reporter
Some fuel stations in Ilorin, Kwara state capital have opened for business following a two-day fuel scarcity which hit Ilorin, National Pilot newspaper reports.
However, the few fuel stations that have opened for business now sell petrol at N210 or N220 per litre.
Those engaged in illegal black market of the product however sell a gallon of five litres at N2,500.
Insiders claimed the few fuel stations now selling to motorists, were taking advantage of the sanction imposed on petrol tanker drivers of Oke-Ogun in Saki, Oyo state, to make more profit from their stock obtained before the sanction.
Sources in Ilorin hinted that the fuel crisis, which surfaced on Friday, was triggered by the leadership crisis within the Oke-Ogun, Saki branch of the Petrol Tanker Drivers Union, PTD, in Oyo state.
Confirmed sources in Ilorin informed that the outgoing chairman of the body seeking another term in office, refused to step down as suggested by members of the union.
Consequently, the tanker drivers were asked not to go to the Oke-Ogun area anymore until the leadership crisis is resolved.
“However, one of the drivers diverted fuel supply meant for Ilorin to Oke-Ogun.
“This resulted in the sanction by the Lagos branch of PTD not to supply Ilorin with fuel until the leadership crisis is resolved, ” the source added.
The blockage of fuel supply to Ilorin, sparked long queues in few fuel stations with some stock.
The hike in price by the fuel stations, also led to increase in transport fares within the Ilorin metropolis as operators of commercial taxi cabs, Keke Napep and Okada motorcyclists complain bitterly about the frustration they encounter in purchasing fuel to power their machines.
Officials of the Ilorin branch of Petrol Tanker Drivers Union, could not be reached at the time of this report.
