Civil Servants Abandon Duties In Search Of Fuel

Many civil servants in Jos abandoned their duty posts on Wednesday in search of petrol as acute scarcity of the product persists in the town and environs.

Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who monitored the situation, reported that there were long queues at the few stations selling the product.

Mr Samuel Thomas, a federal civil servant on queue at an NNPC mega station, said that he left home as early as 4.00 am, but was yet to be served at around 12.00 pm.

“I have not gone to work and I am not sure I will go today because I don’t know when to get the product and the fuel that is left in my car is not enough to take me to the office,’’ he said.

Thomas called on the Federal Government to ensure availability of the product to consumers, adding that its scarcity was causing hardships to individuals and retarding the economy.

Mrs Salamtu Gowon, another civil servant waiting to be served, decried the situation which had lasted three weeks, describing it as very pathetic.

“With this kind of situation, it is very difficult for the country to experience any meaningful development, be it economic, social or political,’’ she said.

Gowon called on government to monitor those responsible for distributing the product to ensure it got to final consumers.

Mr John Danboyi, a stranded commuter who said he had spent hours waiting for a taxi to convey him to work, said the situation had adversely affected business activities in Jos and environs.

“Prices of products in the market have drastically increased as motorists have also increased their charges,’’ he said.
Mr Maikasuwa Dogo, a bus driver, told NAN that the increase in transport fares was due to higher prices of petrol.

“Again we spent longer times at stations to get the product, thereby shortening our operating hours,’’ he added.

NAN reports that many commuters were stranded because there were very few commuter vehicles plying the hitherto very busy roads.

It was observed that apart from the NNPC mega station that was selling the product at government approved price, other stations were selling at between N130 and N140 per litre.