Motorists and consumer groups today expressed outrage over the 15 percent rise in petrol pump price implemented by oil marketers led by NNPC Limited from N537 per litre to N617.
Checks across the nation’s capital showed that while all NNPC’s retail outlets had adjusted their pumps to reflect the new rate, most stations belonging to major oil marketers were either shut or continued dispensing at the old rate.
Stations operated by Shema, Mobil, AA Rano and AY Sharfa continued selling at the old rate across the city, while Adova, TotalEnergies were closed or selling at the new rate.
Expectedly, while motorists shunned the stations selling at the old rate, long queues formed at the stations selling at the old rate in an attempt to beat the new price increase.
Speaking to Vanguard at the AY Sharfa station located in Karu area of the Abuja Municipal Council, consumers expressed concerns that things would get very difficult for families.
Mr. Muyudeen Abu, a transporter, explained to Vanguard that he “rushed to the filling when I heard that they have increased the price again. Luckily, I’m inside that station now. I don’t have money to buy a full tank but I will buy the one I will use to work tomorrow.
“I’m afraid because I don’t know how we are going to survive this. Things are very difficult for the masses. The government cannot just abandon us like this. President Bola Tinubu has to do something urgently before things get out of hand”, he said.
Also speaking to Vanguard, Chairman, Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria, Chijoke James said the rising cost of energy in the country was great cause for concern, adding that with prices of petrol and electricity rising at the same time, more Nigerians would drop into the extreme poverty bracket.
“It is difficult to understand what is going on. From the beginning of the year to this point, the masses have borne the full brunt of ill advised government policies. What is going on is uncalled for and the government must intervene to halt it”, he stated. (Vanguard)
