Residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday, had a terrible experience over the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) as long queues of vehicles resurfaced in most filling stations in the state capital.

Long queues were sighted at some of the fuel stations that dispensed the commodity to the public, while the gates of many of the filling stations were locked. From Akobo to Ojoo, and other parts of Ibadan, including Bashorun, Idi-Ape, Iwo Road, Total Garden, Bodija, Mokola, Monatan, Agbowo, Eleyele, Ologuneru, Challenge, Molete, Oke-Ado and Oje, the story was the same.

Correspondent Kunle Ojo who moved round some of the filling stations reports that many commuters were stranded on Monday as they had to trek long distances to their various destinations. 

There were fewer vehicles on the road and the excruciating traffic situation associated with the General Gas Area of Akobo, Aleshinloye/Railway Junction, Mokola Roundabout, Adamasingba, Dugbe, Sango Poly Junction, Amuoloko, Olorunsogo, Akanran, Orita-Aperin, and Elekuro, disappeared on Monday morning.

A drive around Ibadan revealed that fuel black market has returned to Ibadan. People selling the commodity in gallons were sighted at Sabo area of Mokola on Monday. The majority of major and independent marketers of PMS had their gates closed against the public.

Some fuel stations dispensed the commodity at N162 per litre, while it went for between N165 and 200 in some other stations. It went for about N250 and N300 in the black market. A five-litre keg of PMS went for about N1,500 around Mokola. Motorists that could not withstand the rigorous queue at a few filling stations went for the black market.

Some residents who spoke with our Correspondent described the situation as unfortunate calling on the government and other concerned agencies to do the needful.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Public Work and Transportation in Oyo State, Prof Dawud Sangodoyin, has described the fuel scarcity currently being experienced in Ibadan as artificial scarcity. He alleged that many of the major and independent marketers have the commodity, but are only hoarding it.