The populace of Ebonyi state Monday lamented the increase in the cost of fuel.
Opinions sampled by Newnational star in Ebonyi state revealed that filling stations sell the PMS at three hundred and fifty nairas, three hundred and thirty naira, some 300 naira, and 185 nairas respectively.
A visit to Haris, Pele, Angus, and Neto filling stations showed that they are selling at 330 nairas per liter, Shafa which previously sold at 235 is now selling at 300 per liter, Rain oil is selling at 280, Pinnacle sales at 220 while NNPC sales at 185 per liter.
Interacting with Vehicle owners, they stated that Ebonyi is not witnessing scarcity of fuel but rather a hike in the price of the commodity.
Mr. Uchenna Inya said,
“There is no scarcity of fuel here rather we experience a hike in the price of the commodity.
Before the current price of the commodity I used to buy fuel of 1500 and 2000 per day but now I buy fuel of 4000 to 5000 per day. It has increase my daily expenses and it is affecting me”.
Obinna Ogbonnaya collaborating with Mr. Inya noted that with the hike in the price of fuel, most vehicle owners have decided to abandon cars for public transport. “I don’t go out anyhow now, before I go out I must know where I’m going and the reason for going there if it is not beneficial I will turn it down. Let me tell you many car owners have abandoned their cars because of the increase in fuel price, some will come out and park their cars at the office and be jumping Keke, or even look for a lift to places they go to. The price of fuel now is affecting everybody”.
A commercial driver who gave his name as Ifeanyi said they buy fuel at 350 naira per liter in Afikpo and that the places they used to go for 700 are now 1,050 naira per person.
In the same manner, traders are complaining saying the price of fuel has heightened the price of goods and services in the market has increased.
A meat seller at the international market, Vice Okafor said “this fuel issue has made things difficult, you know the cow we buy at 500, 550 thousand naira before is sold at 800 thousand naira now. But considering the hardship in the country we sell at 3000 per kilo.
It is affecting us.