Food Vendors & Pure Water Sellers Cashing Out at Fuel Stations due to Scarcity

Abuja, April 1, 2016 (NAN) The lingering fuel scarcity in Abuja has created a good business environment for food and confectionery sellers to make rapid sales at petrol stations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in most fuel stations along the Airport Road, some food vendors where seen selling food and sachet water to drivers waiting to buy fuel.

One of the vendors, Funke Joseph, who spoke to NAN, said that the current fuel situation had helped increase her sales.

“I saw the long queue and I knew some of them slept here and would be hungry by now, so I used the opportunity to come and sell to them.

As you can see , people are buying my snacks and I have made lot of sales already this morning more than what I would have made at my stand,” she said.

Idris Umar, a sachet water seller, said that business was really good at the petrol station, adding that he had sold more than five bags of water this morning.

Umar said that the drivers were willing to buy the water whether cold or not.

“I have sold almost five bags of pure water just this morning only on this queue; the drivers are rushing the water because of the hot weather.

“I even had to call my brother to come here and sell their water because the demand is more than supply.”

Patience Okeke, a bean cake seller, said that she used the opportunity of the fuel situation to hawk ‘akara’ at the filling station, adding that she sold them off within a short time.

“I was here yesterday and I finished selling all my akara. So, today I said I must come back and I will keep coming everyday till the fuel issue ends.

In my area where I sell my akara, sometimes I return home without selling everything so this is a good opportunity for me to make more money to take care of my family.”

NAN also reports that some drivers spent the night at the filling stations and some were seen lying down on top of their vehicles waiting for the filling station to commence sales for the day.

A motorist, Adebowale Adebayo, who also spoke to NAN, said that he had to sleep in the filling station to ensure he got fuel.

“I left my office yesterday after I closed from work at around 6 p.m. and headed straight to the filling station: this is almost 9 a.m. and I have still not bought fuel.”
Another motorist, Adamu Bello, said that he also slept at the filling station in order to get fuel in the morning.

“I decided to sleep here so I can be sure of getting fuel today; if I did not do that only God knows when I will get fuel.

At least the queue is moving gradually so I know it would soon be my turn.”

NAN reports that the fuel scarcity has lingered for over two weeks. (NAN)