Following the shouting down of petrol stations across the State, thousands of passengers and motorists in Anambra State were stranded on Wednesday.

Wakadaily gathered that early Wednesday most petrol stations in the major cities of Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Umunze, Ekwulobia and other environs were dispensing.

It was reported that same situation occured from the Upper Iweka parks in Onitsha to the Aroma roundabout in Awka and other major cities.

As regards to this situation limited numbers of vehicles on the road significantly raised transport fares by more than 200 per cent.

It was said that passengers who managed to get on the few available buses were forced to pay excessive prices.

This sudden development took numerous commuters off guard, thereby forcing themselves to trek to their different locations.

Wakadaily also observed that many offices and business places have not been opened as at 10:30 am.

However, the reason for the shut down of the petrol stations could not be immediately ascertained.

Tochukwu, a  tricycle operator using the Onitsha axis, said, “I bought fuel from the black market for as high as N1,350 per litre this morning to do work as we discovered that filling stations did not open.

“Some of my colleagues went to Asaba in Delta State to get the product, that is why the prices of transportation are high this morning.

“We don’t know why the filling stations are shut, but we are hearing that it is like they are in a meeting somewhere in Awka.

“We have experienced this kind of situation before and when they came back from their meeting that day, they hiked the pump price of petrol. It’s likely to be the same situation, we are watching as events unfold.”

A commuter at Awka, identified as Chinwe Okeke, said, “I have been standing at the Regina Caelis bus stop, for over two hours waiting to board a vehicle to UNIZIK, but it has been difficult. The vehicles that are coming have been charging very exorbitantly, I don’t know what is really happening.”

The Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Anthony Ifeanyi When called about the development, said, “There is no cause for alarm and that commuters and motorists should not panic.

“It’s likely that the petrol marketers are in a meeting and whenever they are having such a meeting, shutting down petrol stations is a way of compelling every member to attend the meeting. Their meeting usually starts from morning till noon.”