Fuel hawkers in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja have become very sought after following the fuel scarcity that has plagued the city for the past month.

The situation has worsened since the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as fuel to N967 per litre.

In an interview with Kristina Reports on Thursday, September 5, 2024 in Abuja, one of the hawkers of the product, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, explained that they go through a lot of stress to get the product and as such cannot afford to sell at the pump price of the fueling stations.

“This fuel wey I de hold like this if I tell you how I suffer get am, you too go pitty me. No be say we wicked or we wan cheat person, na so the country be.”

“We even de help these motor people because fuel no de. So, make them just buy here de go their way instead of to go filling station go de wait.”

When asked if the source of his product was legitimate and if there was a need to worry about their product causing havoc to motorists’ cars, he explained that he gets his fuel from the same place fueling stations get theirs and as such he was sure it was legit.

“Where i de carry this fuel na where these filling stations too de carry their own so if you de ask me if this one go spoil their motor, you go ask if filling station fuel too go spoil motor.”

While NNPC is selling at N967, other private stations were seen selling at about N997 and some at N1,000 per litre and the black market price, which the fuel is sold by the hawkers, ranges from N1,100 to N1,300.

Motorists and commuters in the FCT have complained bitterly as this change has greatly affected them and their daily activities. Transportation costs have almost tripled, leaving commuters stranded at bus stops.