The Prayers of a Black Market Petrol Dealer

Do you need petrol for your generator. I shouldn't have to explain why, it's banal. Moving on, black markets are those markets that people go to when there is limited access to commodities from conventional markets. If you need petrol and filling stations are not open for business (especially due to petrol scarcity), your best bet for getting petrol to buy is to visit your local black-market dealer.

Sure, black-market prices for commodities such as petrol are always higher than what you get at filling stations. So, if you are stuck with patronizing a black market petrol dealer, you are in for a treat. Why else will anyone be willing spend more than the usual price for anything?

So there I was, stuck with a dealer who was offering a liter of petrol at N250 to which he unflinchingly adds "If you no wan buy, you fit leave am" when addressing a customer who got there before me. This not-so-happy customer was lamenting the fuel scarcity in addition to fingering the government as the cause, saying "It's not your fault, if things weren't so messed up, what will bring me here to be insulted by an ordinary fuel seller like you". [shots fired]

Having just observed all described above (petty details have been left out), I wondered what the prayers of a black market dealer will be. Would he be thanking God for petrol scarcity? I imagine all religious Nigerians fervently praying to God for things to get better, praying for a Nigeria where the price per liter of petrol is low enough for the poorest man's pocket to handle so NEPA can suck a lemon. I also imagine the dealer praying for continuous scarcity and governmental inadequacies.

While we hope for an answer to our prayers, the black market petrol dealer is also hoping for an answer to his prayers. I was taught that God is impartial but the reality shared by most Nigerians is one in which God had answered only the prayers of the dealer. If you want me to explain why it looks as if only the dealer's prayers were answered, then you are clearly a member of elite class who lives in a smoke-screened bubble and I am available to help you burst it...all you have to do is ask (in the comment section).