Osun residents have expressed frustration over the latest increment in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.
Newspot recalls that the NNPCL on Wednesday officially increased pump price of PMS in its retail stations from N897 per litre to N1,030 per litre in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The company also increased the PMS pump price from N868 per litre to N998 per litre in Lagos State.
In some other locations across the country, the product goes for over N1,200 per litre.
This latest increase in PMS pump price did not settle down well with Nigerians, especially the residents of the Osun State capital, Osogbo, where most fuel stations adjusted their pump price to N1300 per litre for the product.
As expected, the pump price increment has caused the prices of food, transportation and other essential commodities to triple.
Fuel queues that were gradually disappearing in Osogbo before Wednesday have returned, especially at fuel stations where PMS is readily available.
Cost of commercial transportation within and outside Osogbo, findings revealed, have also increased due to the price hike.
A trip within the state, which cost N150 before Wednesday’s announcement by the NNPCL, has jerked up to N200.
Transport fare at the Aregbe motor park between Osogbo and Ibadan is now N4,000 from N3,500.
Commuters travelling from Osogbo to Ondo and Ore and Osogbo to Lagos, will now pay between N6,000 and N7,000.
Speaking with Newspot on the development, a health worker, Onigbinde Blessing complained that commercial motorcyclists in her area have jerked up their fare.
“Where they once charged N150 has increased to N200.
“The sad thing is that this distance is trekkable.
“When I complained, I was informed that fuel prices have increased again.
“This administration is selfish and has imposed the most severe hardship on Nigerians,” she lamented.
A civil servant, Alade Busayo carpeted the federal government over what he described as a deliberate attempt to make life unbearable for the people.
Busayo, who said he had dropped his vehicle at home for the last six months, said he had to get fuel to power his generator because of his wife who gave birth on Monday.
He said, “I have a car. But I have not been able to use it for over six months. It is at home.
“I earn less than N80,000 and my wife is a private school teacher whose salary is not up to N40,000. So, I cannot use 80% of my salary to fill my tank.
“I cannot afford the Band A Electricity bill which has consumed over N20,000 already this month. I have to switch off most appliances, so as not to pay more. That is why I augment with fuel at night.
“We cannot afford to buy electricity for another N40,000 this month if we want to feed. Life is just too tough for us. The government should help us.”
Deborah Omolayo, a trader who runs a frozen food store lamented that the hike in transportation fares had led to an adjustment in the price of her goods.
“I used to get some of my goods at an affordable rate.
“In the last one year, it has been hell for some of us.
“Apart from the huge transportation costs, we also have to battle with the hike in electricity tariff.
“I went to the market today and what happened was just alarming.
“I bought a keg of groundnut oil for N25,000 last week for my fried potatoes’ business.
“But this week, I bought it for over N29,000. I don’t know what will happen next week.
“It is a hard time for us as a country. The government really needs to come to the aid of the masses,” Omolayo emphasised.
A commercial motorcyclist, Dare Ejidiran wants the resignation of the management of NNPCL if they cannot address the situation head-on.
“President Bola Tinubu should expose all the gladiators in the oil sector who are contributing to the daily hardship experienced by Nigerians,” he declared.
He sought the recalibration of the industry, so as to pave the way for more indigenous operators in the downstream sector, especially refining, to address the gaps highlighted over the years.
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