Nigeria fuel crisis deepens

Local media on Thursday reported steep increases in transportation fares and road charges across Nigeria amid a deepening fuel crisis that has gripped the country.

The ongoing fuel shortages are increasingly crippling Nigeria, as the federal government, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, known as NNPC, unions, state bodies and the private sector scramble to find ways to ease the scarcity.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, stating that some 60% of its members are or have been active in distribution, on Thursday said it would work with NNPC to combat the shortages. Cross River state recently began monitoring lorries to try and ensure fuel deliveries to marketers.

In Edo state, protesters from civil society organisations on Wednesday called upon President Muhammadu Buhari to cut back on foreign travels and take a hands-on approach in curbing the fuel shortages. According to Nigerian media, hours-long waiting times at fuel stations have repeatedly led to clashes among customers.

For more news and features on Nigeria, click here.