IN KANO, Traders, civil servants in Kano decry NNPCL PMS price hike
Traders and commuters in the Kano metropolis have expressed worry over the recent hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who went round the state capital, observed that fuel stations were dispensing the product at between N970 and N1,150 per litre, with the increase drawing criticisms from various sectors.
The traders and civil servants who spoke to NAN lamented that the adjustment would exacerbate the already high cost of living as well as deepen the economic struggles faced by many Nigerians.
Malam Abubakar Saleh, a teacher, described the current situation of fuel as 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 subsidy from fuel, and to still worsen the situation, pump price has been increased without prior notice,” he agonized.
Malam Shehu Aminu, a civil servant, said the price hike would reduce workers’ purchasing power.
“This increase will escalate the price of many things including transportation fares, making it difficult for workers to commute efficiently to work,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to pay the minimum wage and implement measures to alleviate the financial strain on citizens.
Mrs. Nana Muhammad, a hairdresser, expressed worry that the price increase would lead to a rise in food prices, which had recently begun to stabilise due to harvest.
“Traders will likely exploit the situation by inflating the prices of goods,” Muhammad said.
Meanwhile, a trader, Lawan Hussaini, urged the government to prioritise the welfare of its citizens when formulating policies, suggesting that the current measures fell short of addressing the immediate needs of the populace.
He emphasised the increased financial burden on households, particularly those dependent on a single income.
NAN also confirmed that commercial motorcyclists had also increased their fares from one area to the other within the state capital.
IN BORNO, ADAMAWA AND YOBE, people express shock, urge reversal
The people of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa have expressed shock and disappointment over the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the NNPC Retail Management.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NNPC Retail Management had on Tuesday approved an upward review of the pump price from N617 per litre to N897 litre, effective from Sept. 3, a development that came amid economic hardship and persistent fuel scarcity.
Many residents in Maiduguri, Yola and Damaturu, who spoke to NAN said that it is more worrisome that the product is not even available at the cost of N897, forcing them to buy a litre from black market for between N1, 000 and above.
In Maiduguri, most filling stations have no fuel, while the few with fuel are selling from N1,100 and above leading to an increase in transport fare by about 30 per cent.
However, Borno Government mass transit taxis and buses are still conveying passengers within Maiduguri at the old prices of N100 per drop for taxis and N50 for buses.
Yakubu Baba, a civil servant, described as unfortunate and insensitive that the increase is coming when the government is yet to implement the new minimum wage.
“It’s sad we continue to experience a series of increases in prices of things in spite of the non-implementation of the minimum wage agreement by the Federal and most state governments.
“Such development looks more like punishment for workers and other Nigerians,” he said.
In Yola, the capital of Adamawa where the commodity sells for between N1,100 and N1,200 per litre, transport fares have been increased by 30 per cent.
The residents condemned the increase, and called for a reversal.
Malam Buba Ali, a driver, said the situation had paralysed both intra and inter states transportation in the state.
According to Ali, it has made the transport business to be more of a survival than profit.
“Our fear now is that prices of spare parts and other commodities will increase,” he said.
Dahiru Buba, the Adamawa Chairman of Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), also condemned the increase which he said could push some of his members out of business.
In Damaturu, the capital of Yobe, residents said already there was fuel scarcity in the state which was worsened by the hike.
Alhaji Baba Dan’Iya, a businessman, described the increase as a “double blow” to the already struggling economy and pockets of many Nigerians.
“We are still grappling with the aftermath of insurgency in the state, and now this fuel hike, which is further exacerbating our challenges,” he lamented.
Malam Bukar Modu, a commercial driver, said the hike had significantly increased his operational costs.
“The increase in fuel prices has forced us to raise transportation fares, which has affected our customers,” he said.
Alhaji Faruq Mamman, a farmer, expressed fears that the hike would lead to a surge in the prices of agricultural inputs and food items.
“Farmers rely heavily on transportation to transport their produce to markets. With the increase in fuel prices, we anticipate a corresponding rise in the cost of food,” he said.
Mr Suleiman Sani, a civil servant, advised the government to rethink and address the hardship caused by the fuel hike.
“We understand the economic challenges facing the country, but the burden should not be borne solely by the common man,” he said.
NAN reports that most filling stations in Damaturu remained closed due to the scarcity of fuel.
The few stations that opened were selling the product at exorbitant prices, ranging from N1, 450 to N1, 500 per litre.
EDO RESIDENTS express frustration
Many residents of Benin, have expressed frustration over the hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Checks by NAN revealed that prices IN Edo have reached up to N1,300 per litre at some filling stations in the states.
NAN) reports that the price of a litre of petrol in Benin City now ranges between N1,100 and N1,300.
The residents called for a reversal of the new price regime.
According to them, the hike is already having a severe impact on the local economy.
Blacky Ogiamen, leader of the Edo Market Women Association, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently address the situation by reverting to the old price.
Ogiamen warned that the increase in fuel prices would exacerbate the already high cost of food items in the country.
“We are already struggling with the high cost of living, and now the fuel prices have gone up.
“The cost of transporting goods has already increased, and this will inevitably lead to higher food prices,” Ogiamen said.
Mr Solomon Uwa, a poultry farmer, said that he had to increase the price of his products to cope with the rising fuel costs.
“Buying fuel for N1,300 at is not sustainable for my business because I convey my products to different markets.
“I have added N200 to the price of a crate of eggs just to cover the extra fuel costs,” Uwa explained.
Mr Jacob Isere, a commercial driver, expressed his frustration, noting that the new fuel prices were unaffordable for the average citizen.
“I bought fuel two days ago for N910 per litre, but today, I was shocked to find prices between N1,100 and N1,200 at the Benin bypass today.
“We are appealing for a reduction in the price so that people can continue with their daily activities.”
Mrs. Deborah Idemudia, a civil servant, said that the hike was contrary to the Federal Government’s agreement with labour unions.
“The agreement was that fuel prices would not be increased with the new N70,000 minimum wage in place.
“Now, I am paying N500 for transportation from Ring Road to Ramat Park, up from N300 that was being charged before the hike.
‘This means an additional N1,000 on my weekly budget, just for one transportation route, yet my salary remains the same,
“We are not even talking about how this will affect the prices of food, clothing, accommodation, school fees, and other expenses.”
Hon. Austin Atakpo, President of the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, suggested a more decentralised approach to the fuel market.
“The Federal Government claims to have decentralised the system, so it should truly be decentralised and not just on paper.
‘The Dangote refinery, for example, should have its own petrol stations, just as NNPC operates its mega stations,” Atakpo recommended.
REPS COMMITTEES urge FG, NNPCL to revert to old PMS price
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) has demanded the reversal of fuel to old price, urging the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) to comply.
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, the Chairman of the committee in a statement in Abuja, described the hike in petrol as unacceptable.
He said that a situation where private companies took advantage of gaps in the system to make arbitrary profits at the expense of Nigerians was inimical to the country’s progress.
“We urge the Federal Government and, of course, the NNPCL to consider the plight of Nigerians and suspend this recent increase in pump price.”
According to him, Nigerians are currently going through a lot of challenges, and adding to the burden is not in our collective best interest.
“Let us revert to the old pump price as soon as possible and probably intensify engagements with major stakeholders to address the problem,” he said.
Doguwa, who is also the Chairman, Special Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Vandalisation of Pipelines, also pledged to tackle the challenge caused by the loss of revenue to the government owing to the loss of crude.
“As a special committee, we will aggressively seek modalities to interface with the youths and community leaders in the oil-producing areas.”
This, according to him, is to address the frequent cases of crude oil theft, which is capable of affecting petrol supply across the country.
“We are working in collaboration with security agencies in their quest to secure oil pipelines and other critical facilities in the country.
“We believe that a return to the old pump price will calm frayed nerves, thus enabling Nigerians to go about their daily activities with ease,” he noted.
The lawmaker also advised Nigerians to give the President Bola Tinubu-led administration a chance to reposition the oil and gas sector.
He stated that with the Petroleum Industry Act, coupled with the effort to revive the nation’s refineries, Nigeria would in no distant time, reap the benefits of her oil and gas endowments.
“We believe that with interventions the government is making to commence operations at Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, these challenges will come to an end,” he said.
NAN reports that the NNPC Ltd had on Tuesday directed its fuel sales outlets to increase their pump prices from the average of N617 to N897, a development which has almost immediately spiked prices, including market commodities and transportation.
(Report pieced together from NAN files).
