In Anambra State, residents, commuters and transporters are lamenting are lamenting the harsh economic conditions as the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as fuel, has risen from between ₦640 to ₦700 per litre in the state.
Voice of Nigeria while monitoring the situation in Awka and Onitsha, the commercial hub of the state and environs Thursday, noticed that independent marketers have adjusted their fuel pumps for the new price and are selling between ₦640 to ₦700 per litre.
The NNPC in Awka was not selling as it was closed to customers as at Thursday afternoon.
However, RainOil outlets in Awka were still selling at N600 per litre as at the time voice of Nigeria visited but with very long queues.
The commuters, especially civil servants, other office workers and poor masses were the worst hit since the fuel subsidy removal. The current high cost of living in the country as a result of fuel price increases is virtually affecting every aspect of life including high price of food items and other essential services.
A civil servant, Tony Chika said the government both at state and federal levels had yet to take proactive steps to address the suffering of the masses presently.
“There is no upward review of the salary of workers. Food items and essential services have gone up astronomically out of the reach of poor masses. We are suffering in penury over the high cost of living since the inception of the new administration.
“The situation is becoming unbearable in Nigeria, a country with abundant natural resources including crude oil and economic gurus,” he said.
Some motorists who spoke to Voice of Nigeria expressed shock over the sudden increase in fuel price.
Some market traders at eke Awka, told Voice of Nigeria that they were just recovering from the effect of subsidy removal before the recent increase. They complained that the increase in fuel price is directly affecting the cost of goods in the markets nationwide as traders convey their goods in vehicles, using fuel.
In a reaction, Chairman of IPMAN, Enugu depot community in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, Chinedu Anyaso acknowledged that there was an increase in the price of petroleum products.
Many residents were sighted trekking long distances as cost of transportation drastically increased from ₦200 to ₦400 and ₦500 to ₦800 depending on the destination, within the state. But Awka to Onitsha which previously cost ₦700, is now between ₦1000 and ₦1,500.
Olusola Akintonde
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