Ogun residents lament hike in fuel price

Residents of Ogun have been lamenting the increase in price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, saying it will further compound the economic hardship in the country.

A check by the newsmen on some fuel stations within Abeokuta metropolis revealed that PMS is now being sold at prices between N905 and N1,250.

It was also observed that some fuel stations were under lock and key as a result of the situation, as their owners refused to sell the commodity.

During the visit to a motor park around the Brewery area in the metropolis, it was observed there were now increases in transport fares within the city and out of the city.

Transport fare from Abeokuta to Iyana Ipaja in Lagos, which was formerly N2,000, is now N2,500, while Abeokuta to Sango moved from N1,500 to N2,000.

Supreme News also confirmed that commercial motorcyclists have also increased their fares from one area to the other within the state capital.

Mr. Kunle Olayeni, a civil servant, expressed worries over the current hike in PMS, saying it should not have come at a time when inflation has reached an all-time high.

“No one expected that fuel prices would be upwardly reviewed again by the government. The economy is harsh already, and Nigerians are not happy generally.

“Invariably, independent marketers would have to sell above N1,000, and the price may even reach N1,500 per litre in some parts of the country,” he said.

Olayeni appealed to the government to listen to the cries of the masses, the less privileged in society, and the majority of citizens who bear the brunt of this economic policy.

“The government should reverse the hike in fuel prices and ensure that necessary measures are put in place to make fuel generally available to the people.

“President Bola Tinubu should look into the fuel matter and let Nigerians breathe a sigh of relief,” he added.

Mrs. Fauziyah Adebiyi, a trader at Kuto Market, noted that the current situation of fuel remained worrisome.

“Increase in the price of fuel means increase in the price of everything again.

“Things have not been the same since the removal of subsidies from fuel, and to still worsen the situation, pump prices have been increased without prior notification,” she said.

Adebiyi stated that the situation had been worsened by the fact that prices of bags of rice still remained between N70,000 and N72,000.

”In addition to that, a big tuber of yam remains N5,000, and a small basket of tomatoes still remains the same.”

Adebiyi urged the Federal Government to urgently address the yearnings of the citizens, saying the increment would affect food prices in the market.