By Ejiro Nesisa & Labofa Ukuta- Ogoba
Following Federal Government’s incessant increase in the prices of petroleum products, Nigerians are complaining seriously as that has greatly affected their living standard. The increase in the prices of fuel has not only affected individuals but industries and companies have greatly been affected because, they don’t only pay transport to purchase raw materials for production, they also use fuel or diesel in running their plants as it a known fact that electricity can not be relied upon in the country.
In a chat with some individuals and Managers of businesses (Outfits) in Warri, Effurun and environs in Delta State, they expressed economic torture they have been going through since Federal Government has been increasing the products. To Sunny Eru Motors’ Head of Operations, Patrick Edafe said the high cost of fuel has affected their business.
According to him, under normal circumstances, by 11.30 am or so ,the company would have run 8 trips of passengers but at present, due to the high price of fuel, they can hardly run three because, there are no longer passengers. He said, since the removal of fuel subsidy does not have positive impacts on the lives of Nigerians, the Federal Government should do well to go back to fuel subsidy so that Nigerians would continue with their normal life.
He said: Since the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy does not have any positive impact in our lives, to me, it is better we continue with the subsidy so that we can continue with our normal life. The suffering is too much.”
In Delta Line Transport Services, the complaint was the same. The Manager of the business outfit, Mr. Osas Osayende, said the price of the fuel has really affected their business. According to him, they now have low patronage of passengers since the fuel prices have consistently risen. He said, before the price of fuel was increased from #200 to between #750 and #850, they charged passengers from Warri to Asaba between #3000 to #3500 but with the recent increase in fuel, they have no choice but to increase it to between # 4500 and# 5000. He said, with this increase, people complain because they are not willing to pay the new price(s).
His words:” Sometimes last year, before the increment of the price from # 200 to #650 and now between #750 and # 850, we carry from Warri to Asaba for between #3000 to #3500, but this recent price increase, we have to move it between #4,500 and #5000. But passengers are not willing to pay”.
On his part, the Manager, Libra Motors, in Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area, Mr. Mike Oriri said, the high cost of fuel has necessitated low patronage from commuters as many of now complain of the exorbitant prices and discourage the commuters from traveling.
His words: “Since the fuel Increment,passengers do not want to pay. They complain that the price is too much. But we let them know that it is not our fault, it is price of the fuel”.
On her part, an anonymous respondent who was a commuter in Libra Motors said the challenges of the fuel increase are not caused by President Bola Tinubu but those working with him in his office and Independent Petroleum Marketers. She said, to President Tinubu, the prices of fuel should be affordable that is why he instructed marketers to sell the ones they already purchased exorbitantly to enable them load the cheap one to sell for consumers. According to her, this was why tankers drivers were stopped from loading fuel for two days. She however, said despite the fact that they are given the go-ahead to load the cheap one, they still sell at exorbitant rate.
According to her, every filling station now sells at any price they like- all to the detriment of the masses. According to her, some sell between #690, #750, and #850, which she said, has affected their transport. She said, before now, from Warri to Lagos used to be #13,500 in Libra Motors saying that, the price still remains the same but passengers still find it difficult saying, instead of they, who are in business, boarding the vehicle to buy their goods which they supply their customers, they prefer to waybill it through the transport company in order to maximize profit but to the detriment of the transport company.
She said:” I can’t blame President Tinubu because, to him, the prices of petroleum products should come down but because some of those working with him in the office, the prices keep on rising”.
At Favour Bakery in Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area, the Supervisor, Austin Nweke said that regular increment of fuel prices has really affected their business as the cost of transportation has affected their profits in the business.
Bread merchant who identified herself as Madam Ann. A. said the high cost of fuel has affected her business adding that, the way things are, she works for fuel sellers and bakery owners as the profit she realizes after fuelling her car and selling the supplies she got from bakery, is so small. According to her, before the increment of fuel, #10, 000 fuel could fill her car but now, with this amount, the fuel can not take her far as she has to refill as soon as possible.
On river transportation at Warri Water Front by Nigeria Ports Authority(NPA), a Beach Master who identified himself as Kester Morena who operates Boat Charter business said, Boat with 200 HP was hired for customers for #30,000 last year’s February and by December, the same year, with fuel increment, they moved it to #40,000 saying, they kept on increasing so long Federal Government increases the fuel prices.
His words:” Many people complain because the price is too high. You can imagine, you take a boat for #30,000 and you buy a fuel of #170,000 it is too high, it is affecting our business”.
In her part, frozen food merchant who spoke under anonymity said although the fuel prices affected business on the ground that she usually have customers as used to be she still retains her profits because she passes the cost to the consumers.
The respondents therefore appealed to the Federal Government led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come to Nigerians’ aid by reversing the fuel prices to #200 as it used to be at that would go a long way to reduce transportation cost which would in turn reduce high cost of goods and services. This, by extension, would ameliorate Nigerians’ suffering.