CITIZENS COMPASS–The price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol has hit N1,400 per litre in some parts of Anambra State.
The effects of the sudden change in pump price is already taken its toll on many residents of Anambra especially motorists and transporters.
On weekend, checks by our correspondent revealed that in Onitsha, the capital of Anambra, a litre of petrol was sold at N1,400 and N1,300 in Nnewi while in Ekwulobia, the product was sold at N1,300 and N1,200 in some parts of Awka.
The checks also revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited did not dispense the product across the areas visited in Anambra.
In Awka, A branch manager of NNPCL who pleaded anonymity, said the company was not dispensing the product because they had run out of stock and were 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.
It was learned that the adverse effects of the increase in the pump price of petrol has brought about increase in fares across Anambra and it’s environs.
For instance, a journey from Onitsha to Awka which used to be N1,000 has increased to N1,600, and Upper Iweka to Oba which used to be N500 now goes for above N700. Likewise, the fares to all other routes has increased astronomically.
Checks by our correspondent also revealed that the development has impacted negatively on the prices of communities, especially foodstuffs as food vendors across Anambra have also hiked the prices of some commodities on the excuse of “high cost of transportation”.
A commercial 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 area of Anambra, 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 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.”
—PUNCH
