Motorists are groaning in Sokoto metropolis and its environs as a litre of petrol is now selling for N180, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
NAN gathered in Sokoto on Friday that the commodity was only available in few filling stations owned by independent petroleum marketers.
NAN also saw long and snaky queues at the stations owned by the major marketers.
NAN further learnt that a four-litre gallon of the commodity was selling for between N1,000 and N1,500, depending on the location of purchase.
The report added that the ugly situation had made intercity and intracity transport fares to increase, resulting in further excruciating socio-economic pains.
A cross section of the motorists interviewed by NAN lamented the development, saying it is aggravating the suffering of the people.
They called on the State Government and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to take drastic action against any erring marketers.
The acting Controller of DPR in Sokoto and Kebbi states, Mr Nura Kamba, told NAN that “our personnel have been out enforcing the pump price of N145 per litre.
“The average daily supply of petrol from the NNPC Depot in Gusau to Sokoto city and its environs have been fluctuating between three and twelve trucks in the last one week.
“We will sustain our enforcement operations to ensure that the motorists get value for their money.”
The Chairman of the Taskforce on sale and distribution of petrol, Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji, also expressed dismay at “the obnoxious situation”.
Magaji said: “We will also go out today to fully enforce the pump price of N145 per litre, not minding whose ox is gored.”
NAN recalls that the state government set up the taskforce about three weeks ago with a view to redressing the ugly trend of recurring fuel scarcity in Sokoto city and its environs.
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal had also threatened to withdraw the Certificate of Occupancy (CoO) of any marketer found to be either hoarding fuel or selling above the official pump price.
However, NAN reports that no petroleum marketer had been sanctioned to serve as deterrent. (NAN)