Fuel scarcity: Lagos Assembly urgesBuhari to end hardship

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to proffer solution to the lingering fuel scarcity and its attendant hardship on citizens.The call followed a motion raised by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Sanai Agunbiade and seconded by Mr Segun Olulade, the Chairman, House Committee on Health, under matter of public urgent importance.

Agunbiade said a lot of workers were lamenting over gridlock caused by fuel queues.“In Lagos, every minute counts. Many workers now get queries for coming late to work. Peoplenow store petrol at homes.“Prices of goods and commodities are high, and fares have increased. The President should address the issue of fuel scarcity and deal with everyone involved,” he said.Olulade, on his part, said: “A lot of people are facing serious hardship; we have hospitals that cannot provide electricity in case of emergency because of scarcity. The President should address the issue quickly.”

Contributing, Mr Tunde Braimoh, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, described the situation as ‘’embarrassing’’, saying that the President has all it takes to salvage the situation. Also, Mr Yinka Ogundimu, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, said all agencies in Lagos were overstretched and a lot of time was wasted queuing for fuel.“We should call on the President to come up with immediate solution,” he said.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, said it was not necessary to start apportioning blames or identifying scapegoats, but the Federal Government should find a lasting solution to the problem.“I saw people carrying kegs all over the city and I understand that some of them sleep at filling stations.“The roads from my house were deserted as I was coming to the office and this is a bad signal.

“Mr President should look for a solution; we should not look at the past or blame the Petroleum Minister for what he said recently since he has apologised. We must take action now.“Whatever it is, our people should get fuel to move around for their businesses. We must avoid whatever can lead to angry mobs. It is becoming so unbearable and it must not be allowed,” he said.