Fuel Pric
Motorists and commuters in the Federal Capital Territory have voiced frustration over the latest increase in petrol prices, which has further strained already tight household budgets. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the price adjustment took effect on Wednesday, triggering a ripple effect across transportation and daily living costs.
Fuel stations that previously sold petrol between N1,261 and N1,295 per litre have raised their prices significantly. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited now sells at N1,364 per litre, while major marketers such as MRS, BOVAS, AP, and Mobil have adjusted their rates to between N1,364 and N1,370. Other outlets, including AA Rano, Emedab, Empire Energy, and Ranoil, now charge as high as N1,444 per litre.
This steady rise from about N900 per litre in February has forced many car owners to park their vehicles, as the cost of fueling has become unaffordable. As a result, fewer commercial vehicles are on the roads, leaving many commuters stranded at bus stops. Those still operating have raised fares, worsening the burden on residents.
A civil servant, Mrs Zainab Idris, described the situation as unbearable. “The hardship is too much. At times, I do not go to work because there is no money for transportation, and feeding is even a bigger problem.” She added, “I believe if the fuel price is stable, the cost of goods and services will be stable for a while.” She further lamented, “Whenever you go to the market to buy food stuff, you will discover the price has increased and it is not supposed to be like this, in this country whatsoever thing that goes up hardly come down.” She noted, “Although, the price of food stuff has slightly reduced but we cannot feel it because of the unstable cost of fuel.”
Many workers now use their personal cars for commercial purposes, commonly called “kabu kabu,” to survive. Another civil servant, Abdullahi Baba, said, “I have a car but I cannot afford the high cost of fuel. Using commercial vehicle is cost effective.” He added, “There are lots of passengers at the bus stop but no vehicles and this is because there is no gain in the business anymore.”
Business owners are also feeling the pressure. A trader, Aliyu Hassan, said, “The increase in transportation will make food stuff more expensive as everyone wants to sell and make profit.” Similarly, a vegetable seller, Ibrahim Usman, lamented, “If this my goods perish, I will stop selling because I borrowed money to add for the additional payment, how did we get here.”
Drivers are equally affected. Taxi driver Gbenga Emmanuel said, “I run at a loss now… This increment is affecting everything.” A ride hailing driver, Bisi Ajayi, added, “People are not requesting for ride any more… The president needs to do something urgently.”Stakeholders have called for solutions, including investment in alternative energy like CNG and improved public transport systems. However, an official from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association explained that price changes are now driven by market forces. “Once the market is liberalised, we cannot have control… especially on the crude oil prices and the exchange rates in Nigeria.”
