Motorists and commuters in Jos and other parts of the country have lamented the hike in petrol pump price by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited.
On Monday, the NNPCL increased the pump price from N617 to N897 at its outlets. On Wednesday, filling stations dispensed petrol between 970 and N1,100 in Jos.
While many filling stations did not sell petrol, there were long queues at NNPCL Mega Station, Dogon Karfe, NNPCL Station Mararaba Jamaa, and the Mobil Filling Station in Hwolshe, Jos.
A motorist, Ruth Hoke, described the recent increase as the “highest level of insensitivity by the NNPCL and the federal government.”
Ms Hoke said Nigerians were undergoing excruciating pains due to the current high cost of products and services, yet they were now being punished more with another increase in the price of petrol.
She expressed worry that the prices of unaffordable goods, causing untold hardships, would witness an astronomical increase due to the recent hike in petrol.
”While salaries and wages remain stagnant, the government keeps increasing the pump price at the detriment of the poor masses,” she said.
A tricycle rider, Michael Joseph, stated that the government needed to consider the effect of its policies on the masses.
Mr Joseph said many people now preferred to trek instead of boarding commercial cars or tricycles.
According to him, the people who have no choice but to use their services are now being forced to beg for discounts on the fares.
“We need the government to care for the masses because Nigerian masses are suffering. We are buying N1,000 and above. How much are we going to carry a passenger?
“This is the job we created for ourselves, yet the government is bringing policies that will put us out of business,” Mr Joseph said.
Another tricyclist, Felix Longji, said he was waiting to buy at the Hwolshe Mobil Filling Station on Tuesday at N670, only to discover that they were dispensing at N920.
Mr Lonji, however, said that though the pump price had increased, he had yet to increase his charges.
According to him, many are sick, and many others have even died because of hardship, so some of them are being considerate even in business.
The tricycle rider appealed to the government to reduce fuel prices to mitigate Nigerians’ sufferings.
Damaris Botson, a commuter, appealed to the government to ensure that the country’s refineries were functional in the interest of the masses.
Ms Botson said Nigeria had been blessed with abundant natural resources that, if properly harnessed, would address the country’s challenges. NAN
