Panic buying in Edo as motorists storm filling stations

There was panic buying in Edo on Monday after the announcement of fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as motorists besieged the NNPC Mega Station on Sapele Road Benin city and others to buy before any increment in price.

Earlier on Monday morning, no queue was witnessed but motorists soon besieged the stations after the announcement was made by President Bola Tinubu.

The queue at the NNPC Mega Station in Sapele Road stretched from Sapele Road to High Court Road with many motorists stating that they did not know what would happen next after removal of petrol subsidy.

Lucky Otabor said he left home to join the queue as soon as the announcement was made and was surprised to meet many motorists on the queue.

He said, “Hopefully, the removal of subsidy will not affect the masses. I had to rush to the mega station to buy fuel but I met a long queue. I was surprised to see the number of motorists on the queue.”
The Mega Station still sells at N187, while other stations, who also have considerable vehicles on the queue, sell for between N210 and N220.
Also, most fuel stations in Benin metropolis shut their gates to customers

However, The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki Monday ordered all petrol stations across the State to immediately resume sales of products to the people or risk immediate closure, and possible revocation of their property to enable others who want to do legitimate and respectful business come and invest.

In a statement issued by Mr Osaigbovo Iyoha, Chief of Staff to Edo State Government said that information reaching the government indicated unscrupulous attempt by petrol dealers in the state to hoard fuel and create artificial scarcity and price hike.

The statement read: “The attention of Edo State Government has been drawn to the unscrupulous attempt by petrol delears in the state to hoard fuel and create artificial scarcity and price hike.

“As a responsible government that cares for her citizens, we shall resist this economic sabotage by every legal means possible.

“To this end, all petrol stations are ordered to immediately resume sales of products to Edo people or risk immediate closure, and possible revocation of their property to enable others who want to do legitimate and respectful business in Edo State come and invest.

“We cannot continue to allow extortion of our people in whatever guise. A word is enough for the wise.”
President Bola Tinubu had during his inaugural speech said fuel subsidy is gone and was not in the budget of the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari. The announcement prompted some filling stations to stop sales of petroleum products in the State.