Former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, has blamed the current fuel crisis on saboteurs in the oil industry.

Musa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday, that Nigerians are going through hardship due to the selfish interest of some people.

He alleged that some petroleum marketers, in connivance with some government officials, hoarded petroleum products to create artificial scarcity for profiteering.

Musa said this was the reason petroleum products are not available at filling stations and the price hiked at the black market. He described the situation as “unacceptable” and urged government to stop activities of “saboteurs,” with a view to making the products available to all.

“It is unfortunate that Nigerians are going through this hardship to get fuel, which should be available to all.

“Without doubt, saboteurs are behind this problem. Some marketers, with the conspiracy of some government officials, hoard or divert petroleum products for their selfish interests.

“The government should get to the root of this. We cannot continue to have this problem, especially around the Yuletide.

“Nigerians have suffered enough in the past few days. Government should find a lasting solution,” he added.

Musa said that Nigeria would continue to have fuel scarcity “so long as people put personal interests above public interest.”

He said privatisation of some critical sectors of the economy has impoverished the masses and has produced a super rich few. The former governor said for the people to actually feel the impact of governance, “government should be more involved in the running of the economy.”

Musa expressed sumpathy with Nigerians over the fuel crisis and urged them to play their part in ending corruption in the system.