Nigerians are groaning and lamenting, with many condemning the government as insensitive due to the latest hike in petrol prices.
Many Nigerians particularly lament that their hardships have been compounded, as transportation fares and the cost of goods have already risen due to the petrol price increase.
Some note that they have had to adopt more belt-tightening measures, such as private car owners leaving their cars at home and taking public transportation, others trekking long distances, while some resort to begging commercial operators to charge them the old rates.
Motorists and commuters in Jos decried the hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to between N970 and N1,100, with one motorist, Ruth Hoke, describing the recent increase as the “highest level of insensitivity by the NNPCL and the Federal Government.”
Hoke said that Nigerians were enduring excruciating pain due to the high cost of products and services, yet they were now being punished further with another petrol price hike.
“While salaries and wages remain stagnant, the government keeps increasing the pump price to the detriment of the poor masses,” she said.
A tricycle rider, Michael Joseph, told NAN that the government needed to consider the effects of its policies on the masses.
Joseph said that many people now preferred to walk instead of using commercial cars or tricycles.
According to him, those who have no choice but to use their services are now being forced to beg for discounts on fares.
“We need the government to care for the masses because Nigerians are suffering. We are buying petrol for N1,000 and above; how much can we charge passengers? This is the job we created for ourselves, yet the government is implementing policies that will put us out of business,” Joseph said.
Another tricyclist, Felix Longji, said that despite the pump price increase, he has not yet raised his charges.
According to him, many are ill and some have even died due to the hardships, so some of them are being considerate in business.
The tricycle rider appealed to the government to reduce the price of fuel to mitigate the suffering of Nigerians.
Mrs. Damaris Botson, a commuter, appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that the country’s refineries are functional for the benefit of the masses.
Botson said that Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources that, if properly harnessed, would address the country’s challenges.
Similarly, motorists and Kano metropolitan commuters lamented the petrol price hike on Wednesday.
The motorists and commuters told NAN that the review was uncalled for, considering the economic hardship and persistent fuel scarcity in the country.
They said that the federal government should find ways to alleviate the hardship instead of placing more burdens on Nigerians.
Alhaji Mohammad Ibrahim, a resident of Gwale, said that he could no longer afford to buy petrol and a generator for his car.
“I am parking my car until further notice and adjusting my lifestyle to cope with the economic hardship.
“I have a large family of 14 members, and I have to provide for them because they rely on me for their daily needs,’’ he said.
Mr. Moses Joseph, a resident of France Road, expressed concern about the sudden increase in petrol prices, adding that the increase is hurting the citizens.
Joseph said that the prices of commodities have skyrocketed, with some items increasing by 200 percent.
He cited the example of a bag of sachet water that has risen from N200 to N450, depending on the company.
Joseph lamented the lack of price control, stating that traders can set their own prices for products based on what they pay to producers.
“The price hike has a ripple effect on transportation costs, with commercial tricycle operators increasing their fares by 200 percent, depending on the distance,” he said.
In Abuja, some commuters were stranded, and some stated that the price increase had worsened their suffering for months.
Miss Amina Yusuf, a clerk in a private firm, said, “Yesterday, I paid N1,000 from my house in Gudu to Garki, where I work, only to leave my office and realize the fare had increased by 50 percent.
“I stood for hours at the Phototech junction waiting for a vehicle to go back because the fare had been increased to N1,500.
“I had to beg other commuters who helped me out. One gave me N300, while another added N200, before I could leave the bus stop.
“It was a harrowing experience because I hate begging, but I had no choice,’’ she said.
Yusuf said she had to borrow money from an online loan platform before coming to work in the morning because her employer would not accept an excuse for absence, or else she would get sacked.
“My salary is just N60,000 a month. With this development, it’s not even enough for transportation,’’ she lamented.
Another commuter, Mr. Kingsley Okoye, said that the fare hike had burdened his finances.
Okoye said: “From Apo to Gudu, we were paying N250, but I was charged N400 this morning.
“I had to find a place to withdraw more cash so I wouldn’t get stranded at work.
“This situation is unbearable. The government is not considering the suffering of Nigerians; they are only focused on policies and regulations that don’t favor us,’’ he said.
Mrs. Jennifer Fabian said she used to spend N200 from Nyanya to the city center until the fuel subsidy was removed, raising the fare to N600.
She said that with the new increase in fuel prices, the transport cost has risen to N1,200, which is very high compared to her income.
“This increase will definitely affect virtually everything in the economy, especially the cost of food, which is already high. President Bola Tinubu should review these policies because Nigerians are suffering.”
Commercial drivers interviewed by NAN said they had no choice but to increase fares to cover their costs.
A driver, Mr. Paulinus Eze, said: “We cannot run at a loss. As we speak, most filling stations are not even selling fuel yet, and the ones that are selling have adjusted their prices.
“NIPCO, where I usually buy fuel, has increased its price from N640 to N945, and I heard AYA Shafa is selling at N880 instead of N700.
“It’s not our fault. We have to increase the price so that we can remain in business. We also have family members to take care of.” Eze said.
Joseph Adamu, Paul Olarenwaju, and Edeh Thomas, all commercial drivers, corroborated Eze’s position in justifying the fare increase.
Mr. Solomon Akanbi, a civil servant, expressed his shock at the increase, saying he used to pay N1,000 from SDP junction to the secretariat but was now being charged between N1,400 and N1,500.
“I came out this morning expecting an increase of N200 from my bus stop to the secretariat but was shocked when I was told the fare was N1,500. This means an additional N500. I don’t know how one can survive this constant increase in all goods and services in this country. You find that things keep increasing, including taxes, but salaries remain the same. How will I pay this amount in one month? What will be left of my salary after the payment, and my office does not have a staff bus,” he said.
He called on the Nigeria Labour Congress to intervene and assist Nigerian workers.
Miss Peace Achibong, a University of Abuja student, said the new increase in transport fares from Gwagwalada to the university gate was too exorbitant for students.
She is considering seeking accommodation close to the campus to reduce costs.
Mr. Chibuzor Agbakwuru, a trader, said the new fares made it difficult for him to commute from Gwagwalada to his shop in Area 10.
He expressed frustration with the country’s economy and called on the government to address the issues.
Mr. Suleiman Yakubu, a driver, said he could not afford to buy fuel from black marketers and had decided not to work.
“We are not finding it easy, and neither are commuters. Prices for all routes have increased. For example, Gwagwalada to Nyanya now costs N2,000, up from N1,500.
“Also, Gwagwalada to Lugbe is now N1,000, up from N700, and Gwagwalada to Area 1 is now N1,500, up from N1,000. Gwagwalada to Kaduna Road is now N1,200, up from N800.
“As fuel prices keep increasing, we have no choice but to raise our prices. This morning, many passengers had to return home because of the fare increase,” he said.
He pleaded with the government to find a solution to the fuel shortage and price increases.
Similarly, residents of Ogun lamented the increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, saying it will further compound the economic hardship in the country.
During NAN’s visit to a motor park around Brewery area in the metropolis, it was observed that transport fares within and out of the city had increased.
The fare from Abeokuta to Iyana Ipaja in Lagos, which was formerly N2,000, is now N2,500, while Abeokuta to Sango moved from N1,500 to N2,000.
NAN also confirmed that commercial motorcyclists had increased their fares from one area to another within the state capital.
Mr. Kunle Olayeni, a civil servant, expressed concern over the current hike in PMS, saying it should not have come at a time when inflation is at an all-time high.
“No one expected that the fuel price would be reviewed upwards again by the government. The economy is already harsh, and Nigerians are generally unhappy.
“Invariably, independent marketers would have to sell above N1,000 and the price may even reach N1,500 per litre in some parts of the country,” he said.
Olayeni appealed to government to listen to the cries of the masses, the less privileged in the society and the majority of citizens who bear the brunt of this economic policy.
“The government should reverse the hike in fuel price and ensure that necessary measures are put in place to make fuel generally available to the people.
“President Bola Tinubu should look into the fuel matter and let Nigerians heave a sigh of relief,” he added.
Mrs Fauziyah Adebiyi, a trader at Kuto market, noted that the current situation of fuel remained worrisome.
“Increase in the price of fuel means an increase in the price of everything again. Things have not been the same since the removal of the fuel subsidy, and to worsen the situation, the pump price has been increased without prior notification,” she said.
Adebiyi stated that the situation had worsened because the prices of rice bags still remained between N70,000 and N72,000.
”In addition to that, a big tuber of yam remains N5,000, and a small basket of tomatoes still remains the same.”Adebiyi urged the Federal Government to urgently address the citizens’ yearnings, saying the increment would affect food prices in the market. (Tribune)