Many Lagos residents were stranded on Friday at various collection points as fuel shortages continue to hit harder.

The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that fuel shortages dragged on for a week, leaving commuters scrambling to board few available vehicles for travel, negatively impacting economic and social life.

The situation is direr as the activities for the 2022 Eid-el-Kabir celebration are in full swing.

For example, the long stretch from Iyana Oworo to the Lagos/Ibadan expressway and inland roads were partially blocked as few service stations were refueling the long queue of motorists.

There is also the problem of an increase in transportation fees for both intrastate and interstate travel due to fuel shortages and the volume of people going to different destinations for the Sallah festivities.

The fare from Iyana Oworo to Berger, previously between N200 and N300, has been increased to N500, while from 7up bus stop to Mowe, previously N300, has been increased to between N600 and N700.

Interstate travel was not left out as the transport fare from Lagos to neighboring cities like Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, which was previously between N1,500 and N2,000, from Berger had been increased to N4,000, among others.

Hafiz Taofeek said that the fuel and transportation situation is affecting the preparations for the Sallah celebrations, especially in terms of buying food and moving from one place to another.

He called on governments to analyze the situation and find solutions.

A veterinary doctor, Mr. Olakunle, told NAN about his unpleasant experience traveling from Lagos to a neighboring Ogun community, Asese.

“My experience traveling to work today had been terrible, I was expected to have an appointment outside of Lagos around Asese in Ogun state, and after spending 3 hours in traffic I had to turn back.

“I had to call my client to inform him of my decision to return because I will not be able to get off for my next trip.

“On my way back to Lagos, I spent another two hours in traffic, now I’m on my way to Akure for an engagement.

“We need the intervention of the government so that the Muslim faithful can enjoy the Sallah festivities,” he said.

Another traveler, Funmi Adegbola, said that almost all internal and access roads in Lagos were not immune to the traffic jam experienced on the main roads.

“I have terrible experiences today; I left home around 1:30 pm Arriving at Anthony Village, there was a downpour that caused a traffic jam due to flash flooding.

“It took about 3 hours to get to the Otedola Bridge from Anthony Village. Aside from the traffic, bus fares have gone up astronomically and I think this is not fair to us.

“This difficulty is affecting us because almost all essential items are on the high side, things are very expensive now,” he said.

Femi Adeoya told NAN that Lagos had been agitated in recent days, adding that the situation needed the government’s attention.

“The government needs to bring sanity to Lagos because things are not working as they should; the transport system in Lagos has been a mono system.

“Lagos is supposed to be a Mega City as claimed, but it is becoming something more, now Lagos has been ranked as the second-worst city to live in in the world.

“The government should review the mass transit bus arrangements that are almost collapsing; today many travelers have been stranded at the bus stop.

“In developed countries, their governments make sure to take charge of city transport, but Nigeria has yet to look in that direction,” he said.

Tunde Babalola told NAN that it was difficult for him to take a bus from Ikotun to Cele Bustop, and when a bus arrived, it was difficult to get into it.

According to him, when he arrived in Cele, the traffic from there to Oshodi was another obstacle and it took two hours of standing at the bus stop before he could catch a bus to his destination.

Sarah Ejiogu, a civil servant, said she had to get on four different buses before reaching Iganmu, her place of work.

“Usually I take a direct bus from Ikeja to Costain, but today I had to keep cutting my trip short because the buses weren’t available and I have to be at work.

“I took a bus from Ogba where I live to Ikeja, another to Maryland, then to Ojuelegba and another to Costain.

“Drivers complained about unavailability of fuel and long queues at service stations.

“It is becoming unbearable.

“The government should help with the situation,” Ms. Ejiogu said. (YAYA)