News
Anambra motorists lament as petrol price hits N900
Motorists and commuters are feeling the pains of moving from one place to another due to the daily increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol.
The price of petrol has been fluctuating at various petrol stations across the state on a daily basis as of Friday, the price has suddenly rose to N900 at various petrol stations and N1,300 at black market.
Most petrol stations visited in the major cities of Onitsha, Ekwulobia, Nnewi and Awka, sold the product between N880 to N900 per litre while only NNPCL were seen selling below the N880, although with long queue of vehicles.
As a result of the development, transportation fares have remained unstable as it continued to soar increase, as commuters now pay far higher.
This, it was gathered has impacted negatively on the prices of communities especially foodstuffs as food vendors have also continued to hike their prices on the excuse of “high cost of transportation”.
Checks by our correspondent showed that in most cases, commuters were always stranded at the bus stops and motor parks as commercial drivers have resorted to only operate during peak hours in order to recoup the high amount of money they spent on fuel faster.
Speaking to our correspondent in separate interviews, some commercial drivers said that the current price of petrol has forced them to jerk up prices and also operate only peak hours of the day.
A commercial bus driver, Chinedu Obinwa, who plies the ever busy Upper Iweka-Nnewi routes, said “The situation is currently making life difficult for us, as we spend most of our earnings in repairing of vehicles and purchasing of fuel.
“As a result of this, most of us have resorted to operating only during peak hours so as to quickly recoup the money we spend on fuel. Drivers are now working for filling stations owners and spare parts dealers, from the little we make a day.
“The bulk of this money goes into into fixing of our vehicles and buying of petrol. Passengers no longer used to be much on the road as people are now restricting their movements due to high cost of transportation. There is no more money in transportation business, I hope government finds solution to tame this regular increment of petrol.”
A mini-bus driver, Ike Ebuka, also appealed to Federal Government to immediately fix its refineries, adding that if the refineries were working, the product will be more affordable by the common man.
“If we stop importing fuel and fix our refinery, buying fuel will be more affordable, better than what what we are currently buying it.
“We are now struggling with paying of our bills and up keep, passengers are no longer on the road as it’s used to be, the few ones will price life out of you.
“I don’t blame these set of passengers, the current economic hardship is telling on everyone, government should please, do something to help the masses.”
Also, a manager at a petrol station in Onitsha(name withheld) said, “We received a call from a sister petrol station yesterday (Thursday), informing us to suspend operations temporarily and be ready to adjust our meter to reflect the new price that the pump price has been quietly increased by the NNPCL.
“We did not sell fuel on Thursday because of the directive but by today(Friday), we were selling at N920 as we were instructed to do. Our action depends on the signals we get, it is not by our making.”
Niger State’s Executive Council has proposed a massive N1.2 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year.
This proposal was unveiled by Commissioner of Budget and Planning Mustapha Ndajiwo during a Government House Council meeting, as announced by the Governor’s Special Adviser Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo on social media X.
Ebbo explained that the commissioner told the council that the estimate is made up of N188.42 billion or 15.68 per cent recurrent and 1.01 trillion or 84.34 per cent capital expenditure respectively.
The commissioner stated that when compared with the approved budget of 2024, the estimate represents an increase of 32.94 per cent.
” The Commissioner in his analysis also stated that even though the 2024 approved budget was supplemented with the sum of N191.98 billion, the breakdown of the draft 2025 proposals revealed an increase of 1.18 per cent and 32.98 per cent in recurrent and capital expenditure respectively, ” Ebbo stated.
He noted that Governor Mohammed Umar Bago in his remarks, explained that the size of the estimate was informed by the gap in infrastructure and key development areas and the inflationary trend of the country.
After the presentation, the council deliberated on it and approved the estimates.
It then directed the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mustapha Ndajiwo to prepare for submission to the Niger State House of Assembly for approval.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jami’u Abiola, son of late Moshood Abiola, as senior special assistant to the president on linguistics and foreign matters.
Segun Imohiosen, director of information, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), in a statement, said the appointment takes effect from November 14, 2024.
“This is in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended”
Until his appointment, Jami’u has served as the special assistant to the president on special duties in the Office of the Vice President.
The statement said President Tinubu tasked the appointee to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has halted the free bus service system in the state.
The governor had earlier on Wednesday approved the free bus services for residents of the state through the Edo City Transport Service.
In a press statement released by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the initiative was described as part of the administration’s effort to entrench its policy direction.
The free bus service, according to the governor, was to cover the Benin metropolis and the three senatorial districts of the state (intra- and intercity routes) and was intended as a commitment to enhancing the welfare of Edo residents.
However, in a subsequent statement on Wednesday night, Itua said the earlier announcement regarding the approval of the free bus services should be disregarded.
The statement read: “The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded.
“The governor is being briefed on issues surrounding the operation of the state-owned Edo City Transport Service, operators of the free bus services.
“For now, the free bus services have been placed on hold. A new decision by the governor will be communicated to the general public.”
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