Some Nigerians have been lamenting the increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, calling on President Bola Tinubu to address the situation.

Nigerians said the petrol price hike will further compound the economic hardship in the country.

The residents of Ogun State said this in reaction to the increase in fuel price on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

It was gathered that many fuel stations in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, are now dispensing fuel at prices between N905 and N1,250.

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

It was further learnt that there were increases in transport fares in and out of the state capital.

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

Commercial motorcyclists have also increased their fares from one area to the other within the state capital.

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

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

NANS demands reversal of fuel price hike, threatens protest

“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.”

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.

He added: “The government should reverse the hike in fuel price 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 heave a sigh of relief.”

A trader at Kuto market, Fauziyah Adebiyi, noted that the current situation of fuel remained worrisome.

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

“Things have not been the same since the removal of fuel subsidy, and to still worsen the situation, pump price has been increased without prior notification.”

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,” she added.

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

The Star