- Lagos filling station under fire for forcing customers to buy meat pie before selling fuel
The challenges faced by students due to the sudden surge in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit and the scarcity of the product have reached unprecedented levels, the Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University said on Sunday.
The President of the union, Abbas Ojo, in a statement released on the campus in Ile-Ife, Osun State, urged the Federal Government to immediately address the issues.
The union threatened to hit the streets in protest if the situation persisted.
Fuel queues have surfaced across some filling stations in Ogun and Lagos States as some stations also remained shut.
The PMS also known as petrol has been selling between N700 and N800 at some filling stations. Some persons claim to buy the fuel at prices higher than N800 in Lagos and Ogun with the situation causing a hike in transport fares.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had said some supply issues were responsible for the queues, urging customers to exercise patience.
A resident, Tomisin Bakare, who said he bought PMS from a filling station around the Lagos State University-Igando axis stated that he was shocked when the attendant said fuel was N700 per litre.
“This is after I had already spent over 50 minutes in the queue,” he added.
According to the students’ union president, the situation is not different in Osun, particularly around the campus environs where he noted bus drivers had increased fares.
“We, as students, can no longer endure the burden imposed by the government’s economic policies,” Ojo said.
“Last year, when the decision to remove fuel subsidies became public knowledge, many, including students, harboured doubts about its impact on the nation’s economy. Even those who supported the removal of subsidies were skeptical, given the absence of concrete plans to alleviate the ensuing challenges,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, during his swearing-in, announced the removal of fuel subsidy. Since then, Nigerians have been grappling with harsh economic realities coupled with the depreciation of the naira against the dollar.
“From soaring electricity tariffs to the skyrocketing cost of living, the adverse effects of the government’s capitalist policies have spared no one.
“Despite these challenges, students persist in their pursuit of education and academic endeavours. However, recent events such as fuel shortages and fluctuating prices have left students stranded both on campus and outside campus,” Ojo stressed, noting the students had been pushed to limits.
The union demanded immediate action from the Federal Government to address the fuel scarcity, curb suspected hoarding of fuel, and regulate prices.
“We also demand that the government should revive the country’s refineries. The government must not test our will by not addressing these demands within the next 48 hours. Failure to do so, we shall hit the streets till the government addresses the fuel crisis which constitutes a threat to our academic pursuit,” the statement concluded.
Lagos filling station under fire for forcing customers to buy meat pie before selling fuel
Meanwhile, in a video that surfaced on Twitter over the weekend, a Total filling station said to be located in Igando, Lagos, has been called out for allegedly compelling customers to purchase meat pies before being sold fuel.
This is as many Nigerians are still grappling with the pain of another fuel scarcity that started last week.
Despite assurance from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited that the situation was under control, vehicle owners, commercial drivers, and consumers still have to wait in long queues from a few selling filling stations.
The situation has also seen transport fares jump up while many commuters are left stranded.
The now-viral video shows several customers with jerry cans and another buyer in an SUV waiting for their turn to get fuel.
The recorder of the video could be heard complaining about what he described as an unusual situation.
“I don’t understand what is happening at this Total filling station. How on earth will I be asked to buy meat pie before I buy fuel? What sort of rubbish is this? Is this place open for meat pie or for fuel?
“This Total filling station is trying rubbish (sic) with the masses,” he complained to a smiling attendant dressed in black.
The attendant argued with the man for recording the video while a lady dressed in a black dress, who appeared to be affiliated with the station, advised him to ‘go and eat’.
The video immediately generated outrage from many netizens who condemned the actions of the filling station.
@Taohnooni on TikTok urged the consumers to report to the appropriate authorities.
“What’s happening in this country? They should be reported to the appropriate authority. ICPC should take note,” he posted
Flicker Findz, meanwhile urged the complainant to report to the company’s headquarters.
Narrating his ordeal in the hands of a fuel attendant, Marvis said he was asked to give bribes before he could get fuel.
“You never see anything. The fuel attendant told me make I bribe him before he sold me fuel. If not nothing for me,” he said.
Baba Egbeshosho tweeted as @flowfemmy lambasted the management of the filling station for their actions.
“Make una come see something. So this is our new business model Total. Coerce customers into paying for a non-essential item before they can buy fuel. Hope u realise that Nigerians have no limits when they push back at oppression. ? Dey play!!!,” he tweeted
Total Nigeria could not be immediately reached for reaction as of the time of filing this story on Sunday.
