Scarcity Bites Harder In Rivers

Due to the lingering scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Rivers State for over a month, a litre of the product now sells in most fillings stations in the state for as high as N170.

Those who are not patient to stay in long queues for as much as five hours have resorted to purchasing petrol from black market dealers who sell 10 litres jerry can for as much as N3000.

The price of petrol has skyrocketed due to non-availability of petroleum products in virtually all filling stations in Port Harcourt, its environs and other major towns in the State.

When The Guardian went around yesterday, all the filling stations along the busy Port Harcourt-Aba expressway, Ikwerre road, Old Aba Road, East-West road were under lock and key.

Due to the scarcity, there is palpable fear that price might still increase.

Transport fares in virtually all the routes in Port Harcourt have been increased by N100 by taxi and commercial bus drivers, who claim they buy fuel at an exorbitant price from black market dealers. For instance, bus fare from Mile One to Mile Three, which was prior to yesterday, N50 per drop, is now N150.