Perhaps the most complex problem Nigerians are facing is the insincerity of the government to come out and tell the citizens what exactly is wrong with the petroleum industry.

Conflicting reports are being carried every time about ‘fuel subsidy removal’ or ‘fuel subsidy is back.’ Perhaps the most complex problem confronting the Nigerian nation is how to make petrol available at all times for local consumption. 

Practical experience over the years have shown that it has not been easy for Nigerians to find a sustainable solution to frequent and protracted scarcity of petrol in the country.

It is important to note that several efforts and permutations have been made and are still being made to address the problem, but the solution is far insight.

From the time of military administrations to present democratic dispensation, different strategies such as yearly turn-around maintenance of the refineries and importation of refined petrol to supplement local production have been adopted without any positive impact.

The problem has become a recurrent dilemma in the nation’s economy. The situation is becoming more complex and dramatic especially given the current security challenges facing the nation. 

Pump price of petrol in Nigeria are no longer determined by government fiat (where at all times, petrol is found in the filling stations), but at the discretion of the Independent petrol marketers.

Could it be that our refineries have outlived their useful age, or is it the problem of lack of political will and lack of vision by our leaders? Is it the problem of inability or lack of skills in strategy implementation? Could endemic corruption be a critical factor thereby sabotaging efforts in addressing this problem?

Whatever and whoever is responsible for the nation’s woes in petroleum sector of our economy should be ready to face the punishment when posterity starts to judge. 

It should be noted that petrol remains very strategic and most important element in the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.

The importance of petrol as material goods and services cannot be misplaced. It is so important that any contemplation of a possible scarcity or unavailability of the product will no doubt spells doom for the economy of the country.

In locomotive activities, petrol is a key resource, in heating and lighting whether in the house or factory or anywhere, petrol is a key resource. Without petrol the world would come to a halt, lives would be made difficult as movement would eventually be impeded. 

As I observed, it appears that without petrol, our world would almost grind to a halt; factories would stop running, so would cars; airplanes would be grounded; tractors on the farm would sputter to a standstill and rust; and people’s homes and offices, if not heated by petrol, would freeze in winter. Because petrol is so important, the whole world is affected by what happens to this vital commodity. 

The importance of petrol has caused successive governments in Nigeria to devise every means to make petrol available and affordable. It was in February 1999 that the whole issue of petrol scarcity started with its attendant devastating effects on the citizens, the government and the economy at large. 

Today, petrol scarcity is no longer a new phenomenon in Nigeria. It has become a common feature and got to a crisis stage. In particular, the petrol crisis which started as a joke has now become a feature of the country’s socio economic landscape. Across the country, Nigerians queue up at filling stations for hours unending for unavailable petrol.

The implications have been loss of man-hours and rising cost of living as transport fares and prices of foodstuffs jump up. Thus, in continued efforts to transform Nigerian economy and improve the life of the citizens, there is a need to ensure that this vital commodity is managed in a way that will guarantee its availability and affordability.

But it is often a wonder why Nigeria with huge oil deposits and reserves be faced with persistent petrol scarcity or crisis? Again, how have the entities been managing themselves and the product such that they cannot arrest the very condition which was created by them? 

While fuel scarcity in the past has often revolved around increased pump price or subsidy removal, the latest scarcity biting Nigerians hard sees a new entrant: Meter reading without fuel discharging.  

Wonders will never end in Nigeria. Like the previous fuel crisis, this current fiasco is still a game of finger-pointing without any clear thought out process to ameliorate the situation.

For the past weeks, Nigerians have been subjected to the tiring and distressing experience of sourcing for fuel.Except if you own a private fuel dispensing outlet permanently installed in your abode, you may have been saved from the long queues and the burning sun. To be sure, it is not an adventure anyone wants to embark upon. 

From time to time, Nigerians move out en-masse, jerry cans in hand, or behind the steering wheels to source fuel at all cost. In some recorded cases in the past few years, many have been compelled to roll out their generating set to stations that refused to sell to them in their cans, citing a preference to exclusively service motorists.

Despite being an oil-producing country, every time, Nigerians face fuel shortages. In most cases, a prospective change in pricing caused by the removal of fuel subsidies is usually the culprit. The impact on the economy has been overwhelming as every part of the economy, directly and indirectly, depends on fuel.

Those who could not afford the hiked price in their meagre earnings, trekked to their offices just to retain their jobs. Within this short period, coupled with existing inflation, the prices of goods have greatly risen. 

But above all, the main profiteers of this fuel scarcity brouhaha are the black market merchants. I think the government should stop telling the citizens lies and address the issues properly. When will this fuel scarcity come to an end? The answer is for you and the government to address.

God Bless Nigeria!!!