1 month ago
18 ARTICLE AD
Traffic on Abuja-Kaduna highway due to protesting drivers. Source: Twitter
The recent hike in petrol prices has sparked widespread criticism from commuters, motorists, and traders in the South East, according to findings by Sunday PUNCH.
Our correspondents, who monitored the situation in some states in the region, observed that the prices of food items and other essential commodities had soared in some of the major markets within the region.
Some traders at Igbudu market in Delta State claimed that the high cost of food items was caused by the challenges of insecurity, which farmers faced on their farmland daily, and the increasing costs of transporting produces to the markets.
Speaking with our correspondent, a tricycle operator in Warri, Suleiman Jeleel, lamented that the hike in the price of petrol had affected their businesses and reduced profits, necessitating the need to increase the transport fares.
He said, “Virtually all my collections from passengers are now used for re-fuelling, on daily basis.”
In Anambra State, commuters, motorists and traders were agitated that petrol was selling for N1, 300 per litre at some filling stations in cities such as Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka.
However, the NNPCL outlets located along the Awka-Enugu Road sold petrol for N1,100 per litre, resulting in transport fares which suddenly soared above 30 per cent.
A shuttle bus operator in Onitsha, Chukwudi Ikem, lamented that the situation had reduced the level of patronage, claiming passengers now preferred to stay indoors.
Also, a cassava flakes trader, who identified only as Ifeoma, said, “I deal on cassava flakes otherwise known as ‘abacha’. Before today, a plate was sold for N400, but due to the high cost of materials coupled with the cost of transportation, we now sell a plate for N700 to enable us make our own profit.
One of our correspondents, who monitored the situation in Benin, the Edo State-capital, learnt that prices of food items had increased since the removal of the oil subsidy in 2023.
A trader, who sells food items on Lagos Street, Mama Jude, said the prices of food items were currently on the high while consumers’ patronage had gradually reduced.
She noted that a bag of local rice which was sold for N98,000 a few weeks ago was sold for N120,000, adding that half a bag of garri had increased to N45,000.
Also, transport fare has become exorbitant in the metropolis. A commuter, who gave his name as Niyi, said that transport fare has gone up by about 60 per cent.
He noted that when he paid N300 to commute the last two weeks, he paid N450 on Friday. He said the increase is the same all over the metropolis.
