Motorists and commuters in Anambra State are groaning over the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol.
Our correspondent who monitored petrol situations and motor parks in major cities across the state, on Saturday, gathered that a litre of petrol sold for N1,400 in Onitsha, N1,300 in Nnewi, N1,300 in Ekwulobia and N1,200 in some parts of Awka.
Most petrol stations visited in these cities sold the product from N1,200 upward, except Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited which sold less.
Although the NNPCL petrol stations were not currently dispensing, they had long queues of vehicles waiting for them.
A filling station manager at the NNPCL in Awka, who pleaded anonymity, said they were not dispensing because they had run out of stock and waiting for supply.
“We are not currently dispensing at the moment because we have run out of stock and waiting for a new supply. Most of the vehicles you see in the queues have been there for over three days.
“We did not sell for some days because we had to wait for a directive on the new pump price. And when the directive came, we had to adjust our meter to reflect the new price.
“We were selling between N780 and 820 and when the directive came, we adjusted to N920, although, the price fluctuates. Our action depends on the signals we get, it is not by our making,” he said.
As a result of the development, transportation fares have continued to soar by as much as over 50 per cent daily, thereby leaving commuters to restrict their movements to certain areas.
For instance, movement from Onitsha to Awka which used to be N1,000 is now N1,600, and Upper Iweka to Oba which used to be N500 now goes for above N700. Likewise, every other route has been increased significantly.
Checks by our correspondent also showed that the development 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”.
A commercial bus driver, Mr Okey Udo, who plies the Onitsha-Nnewi routes, said, “The fuel situation is making life unbearable for us as we now spend most of our income on buying fuel. As a result of this, most of us have resorted to operating only during peak hours to quickly recoup the money we spend on fuel.
“This is because passengers are no longer on the roads as it used to be because most people have reduced their movement while some have resorted to trekking. Drivers are now working for filling station owners and spare parts dealers, from the little we make a day.”
A resident of Nnewi, Mr Nkechi Udeh, who trekked a long distance from Triangle Roundabout to the local secretariat, said before the latest fuel hike, tricycle operators were collecting N200, but now raised the fare to N400.
“I have resorted to trekking to work at the secretariat in order not to be stranded since I am still very fit and strong. If not for the dangers, I would have used my bicycle for the movement. But you know, it is a very busy road, and riding a bicycle on such a road is not advisable.
“A lot of people are now trekking to their various destinations. I don’t blame them, the current economic hardship is telling on everyone, the government should please, do something to help the masses.”
A commuter in Awka, Ifeoma Uzor, said, “This fuel situation is gradually getting out of hand and regrettably, those concerned are just watching. This is a shame for a country.
“I am at the park at Aroma Junction in Awka, to board a commercial vehicle going to Nnewi. It used to be N1,200, but today, it’s almost N1,800. Look at the suffering the common man is passing through in the country while our leaders don’t show empathy.”