DESPITE FG DENIALS, FUEL SELLS FOR N220 -N225 IN NSUKKA, EBONYI

Fuel hike: Petrol Stations sell between N210-N220 in Ebonyi

Despite the frantic denials by the FG that there was nothing like price hike in fuel price from N175 to N212 by petroleum marketers in the country, the cost of fuel is presently sold between N210 and 220 within Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

RPTVblogs investigation revealed that the cost of transportation has equally been affected as commuters were seen complaining about the development. When our reporter visited JESCO filling Station along Afikpo road, the pump price which was N175 last night was now adjusted to N210 per litre.

A federal Civil servant, Mrs Jenny Peters who went to purchase fuel this morning in Abakaliki wondered why such increment could be effected not minding the harsh economic situation facing citizens of the country.

“I thought the information about the increase in pump price on social media was even false. I was shocked by what I saw when I visited a filling in Abakaliki to purchase fuel. I bought a litre at the cost of N210 from JESCO filling station.

“This is not what Nigerians need at this time. The federal government should endeavour to reduce the price of fuel if not, the standard or cost of living of all Nigerians will be affected no matter one’s level in society.

“The Federal Government should tackle this development headlong. Nigerians deserve a better life. All fingers, they say, are not equal. People are going through serious hardship and so, this development needs to be ameliorated. ”

It is expected that other aspect of the economy will be affected, if nothing is done to bring down the cost of fuel price in the State even as some people are already jittery that the cost of food, wears, among other items will soon increase in no distant time.

Meanwhile Nsukka residents groan as petrol sells for N225
Some residents of Nsukka town in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have expressed concern and surprise as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is sold for between N220 and N225 per litre in filling stations.

The residents in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka on Friday said the worse part of it was that many filling stations were not dispensing the fuel, known as petrol, to motorists.

Dr Ifeanyichukwu Abada, a senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), said that he felt badly to buy a litre of petrol in filing station on Friday at N225 per litre.

“Many stations in Nsukka town are not selling petrol making the product to be scarce while the few that are dispensing sell at a price they like,” he said.

Abada, the immediate past Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities in UNN, said the price increase by stations might not be unconnected with Thursday’s pegging of petrol price at between N209 and N212 by Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

“Federal Government should consider the hardship Nigerians are going through and stop this constant increase in the pump price of petrol since it has multiplier effect.

“Any increase in price of petrol always leads to increase in prices of products and services in the country,” he said.

Mr Chidi Onah, a Lawyer, expressed concern that the increase in petrol price had become a monthly affair.

“In February the price was N187 and now in March the price is N212 per litre and by April there will be another hike.

“I bought a litre this morning in filing station at N223. I stayed over 45 minutes in a queue because few stations in Nsukka town are selling the product,” he said.

Onah, a human right activist, accused the Nigeria Labour Congress of not doing enough to protect the interests of Nigeria workers.

Mr Desmond Eze, a tricycle operator, urged the government to find a way to stop further increase in the pump price as it affects transport, goods and services in the country.

“Before we charged N50 per passenger within Nsukka town but now petrol is selling between N220 and N225 we will increase transport fare so as to remain in business.

“Government should find solution to stop constant increase in the pump price of petrol since it affects every business in the country,’’ he said.

An independent petroleum marketer in Nsukka, who pleaded anonymity, said he was selling a litre for N225 in his station because he didn’t know what it would cost him to get new supply, given the new pump price of petrol announced on Thursday by PPPRA.

“I don’t know how much I am going to buy from depot. I will also pay for the transport as well as pay those working for me in my station,” he said.