Makurdi Residents Reel Under Soaring Petrol Prices ₦1,700 As Marketers Shut Down Stations

Motorists and commercial motorcyclists in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, are enduring an unprecedented petrol crisis as pump prices skyrocketed to as high as ₦1,700 per litre. The surge followed the sudden closure of filling stations by fuel marketers who embarked on a three-day warning strike in solidarity with the Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

The strike, which commenced on Tuesday, left thousands of commuters stranded, with many resorting to the black market for fuel. Hawkers quickly seized the opportunity to exploit the situation, selling petrol at rates between ₦1,600 and ₦1,700 per litre, depending on the location.

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Marketers’ Strike Deepens Fuel Scarcity in Makurdi

A member of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), who spoke anonymously to Vanguard, revealed that the strike was a joint resolution of IPMAN and NUPENG leadership. According to him, the unions had earlier approached both the previous and current state administrations to resolve a long-standing grievance stemming from an incident in which youths attacked a petrol-laden truck along the Makurdi-Aliade road and siphoned its contents.

The marketer disclosed that the truck owners and company involved in the incident were promised compensation by the previous government, but the promise was never fulfilled. Multiple appeals to the new administration reportedly yielded no positive response, prompting the current industrial action.

“Since then, the matter has been on the ground, and when this new administration came on board, NUPENG and IPMAN approached the government, but they were rebuffed. So, the leadership of the two unions decided that we go on a three-day warning strike and wait for further actions. All fuel station managers were directed to shut down their outlets. Anyone caught selling products would be fined ₦500,000. That’s why none of us is dispensing products,” the marketer stated.

Commuters and Businesses Bear the Brunt

The abrupt closure of filling stations brought transport services in Makurdi to near paralysis. Commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, lamented the skyrocketing price of petrol, which has doubled their operating costs overnight. Many riders were forced to increase fares, leaving commuters frustrated.

A tricycle operator, Musa Audu, said, “Before the strike, I could fuel my keke with ₦3,000 for a whole day. Now, I need over ₦7,000 to buy from black market sellers, and passengers are complaining about high fares.”

Small-scale businesses dependent on generators for electricity were also hit hard. Shop owners in Wurukum and High-Level areas reported shutting down early because of the high cost of running their operations.

Mixed Reactions and Uncertainty Ahead

While filling stations remained locked, queues of desperate buyers were seen at roadside jerry-can vendors, creating chaotic traffic scenes. Residents accused the state government of failing to intervene quickly to prevent the crisis.

Interestingly, the Benue State Chairman of NUPENG, Terfa Iorhule, claimed he was unaware of the strike when contacted by journalists. “I only heard of the strike but I have not confirmed it yet,” Iorhule said from Lagos, creating confusion over the level of coordination within the union.

The ongoing strike is expected to continue for its scheduled three-day duration, but residents fear the impact could linger if no agreement is reached promptly. As panic buying persists, there are concerns that prices might rise even further if fuel supply is not restored.

Will the Strike Be Extended?

The current industrial action is officially labeled a warning strike, but insiders within IPMAN hinted that a full-scale shutdown could follow if negotiations with the government remain unproductive. The prospect of prolonged scarcity has sparked anxiety among transport operators, small-scale entrepreneurs, and residents alike.

For now, motorists and motorcyclists in Makurdi continue to count their losses, with some abandoning their vehicles and resorting to trekking due to unaffordable petrol prices. The strike has once again exposed the fragile nature of fuel distribution in Nigeria and the vulnerability of residents to disruptions in supply.

Until meaningful dialogue occurs between government representatives and petroleum unions, normalcy remains uncertain.