From HASSAN JIRGI, Maiduguri
Residents of Yobe and Borno States have condemned the recent increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, by Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Retail Management.
AljazirahNigeria reports that NNPCL retail stations have adjusted their pump price to reflect the new PMS price of N897 as against N637.
Our correspondent in Damaturu, Yobe State, said there is fuel scarcity.
Some residents around Damaturu and Maiduguri in Borno State said it is worrisome that the product is not even available at the cost of N897, forcing them to buy at the black market for between N1,000 and N1,200.
Most filling stations have no fuel, while the few with fuel are selling at N1,100 and above.
A civil servant, Musa Ahmed said “workers whose salaries are fixed can no longer afford their necessities.”
According to him, the removal of fuel subsidy has triggered the cost of goods and service, which includes transportation costs and other basic necessities.
He appealed to the federal government to handle the situation expeditiously and put an end to the suffering of vulnerable people.
He added that, “People are suffering daily, stressing that if nothing is done immediately, the situation may get out of hand.”
A businessman, Alhaji Umar Garba, said “We are still grappling with insurgency in the state, and now this fuel hike, which is another problem and hardship amongst our communities.”
Also speaking, a commercial driver, Mallam Modu Kaka, said the hike had significantly increased his operational costs.
He said the unexpected increase in fuel price has forced us to raise transportation fares which has affected our customers,” he said.
Kaka also called on government to rethink and address the hardship caused by the fuel hike.
