Nigeria is gradually grinding to a halt as a result of the lingering fuel scarcity and worsening power supply in the country.
As at Sunday evening, there was virtually no petrol station in the Lagos metropolis that had fuel.
All were shut, including government-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation outlets.
This resulted in black market operators selling a litre for as much as N500 as opposed to N87, which is the official price.
In Abuja, the situation was almost the same except for a few filling stations that had products.
And there, the queue was quite long.
The Publisher of Prompt News Online, Akeem Oyetunji, who bought fuel from a filling station in Abuja, said he spent over five hours on the queue.
From Kano, Enugu and other parts of the country, the situation was worse than in Lagos and Abuja.
Yet, power supply is becoming more epileptic by the day.
In some areas of Lagos, there had been no power supply for over one month.
In some areas of high brow Ogba in Lagos, there had been no power supply long before the general election.
In Abule Egba, some streets have not had light for more than two weeks.
Other parts of the country do not fare better.
The Yola Electricity Distribution Company, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and Ikeja electric have had to offer explanations to customers several times in the last two weeks on the drop in power supply.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Dr. Godknows Igali, had on Friday said power supply had dropped to 1.3mw, an indication of imminent total blackout.
Following this, business owners, including banks, schools and telecommunications operators, have been announcing early or total closure.
Telecommunications service providers, Airtel and MTN, have alerted their customers of possible breakdown in service.
Airtel, in a text message to its customers on Sunday, said: “Dear Valued Customer, this is to inform you that due to nationwide fuel crisis our services may experience some strain. We are doing everything possible to manage the situation. Thank you for your understanding.”
Guarantee Trust Bank Plc also on Sunday said its branches will close at 1pm instead of the normal 4pm or 5pm depending on the branch.
The bank, in a statement on Sunday, titled: “Notice of early closure of branches,” said: “The current shortage of petroleum products in the country has limited our ability to supply diesel to all our branches, in order to continue normal branch operations.
“Due to this, we unavoidably have to close our branches nationwide at 1pm, from tomorrow Monday, 25th May 2015.
“Whilst we have had to take this step to close branch operations early, we would like to seek your understanding at this time, and assure you that we will continue to work hard at finding alternative solutions to this situation and will advise you once the situation has abated.”
The bank said its alternative channels such as e-Branches, Automated Teller Machines, Internet Banking and SMS Banking should be utilised by customers during this period.
It added: “We sincerely apologise for every inconvenience this might cause you and thank you for banking with us.”
The University of Ilorin has postponed its Rain Semester examination owing to the lingering fuel scarcity also.
The Public Relations Officer of the school’s Student Union Government, Kamil Sodiq DanFulani, announced this in a statement on Sunday.
DanFulani said the decision was taken in conjunction with the management of the school.
He said: “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the University of Ilorin: Better by Far, may I inform you that your ever active Students’ Union is much aware of the fuel scarcity and the neck-choking epileptic power supply that have grounded the socio-economic strength of our dear country, Nigeria, to a halt.
“In regard to this, the University Management in conjunction with the Student’s Union and the Student Affairs Unit have decided to ease the pressure by postponing exams slated for Monday and Tuesday 25 and 26 of May, 2015 in respective order.
“The reason for the postponement is to reduce the stress associated with the prevailing situation ahead of the Rain semester exam.
“While hoping that the condition of the nation will improve shortly to a convincing state, your ever-caring Students’ Union is urging us all to keep studying in order to come out in flying colours.
“Once again, the Students’ Union is wishing every member of the Better by Far family a hitch free and successful 2014/15 Rain semester examination
“Please be aware that the Union would keep you updated on every latest development regarding the postponement as at when due.”
Popular private school in Lagos, Chrisland, has announced a compulsory mid-term break owing to the fuel scarcity.
The school, in a letter to parents, dated May 22, 2015, said due to the prevailing fuel situation, its primary and high school arms would close for mid-term break from May 25 to 29.
School is expected to resume on June 1.
Another prominent school in Lagos State, Taqwa, has alerted parents it may not be able to provide bus services from Monday (today).
It said this was after efforts to get petrol failed.
On Sunday in Lagos, the roads were generally free as a result of the fuel scarcity.
Buses were far and in-between at bus stations, with several commuters stranded.
Flights were also cancelled throughout the weekend.
Some airlines have stopped selling tickets.
This is to enable them clear the backlog of passengers.
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