Commuters groan as fuel price hits N1,000 per litre in Calabar
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Commuters in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State have expressed frustration and disappointment as fuel (PMS) price hits N1,000 per litre in the metropolis .
The upsurge in the price of the commodity follows yesterday’s inaugural address by the newly inaugurated President Bola Tinubu who said subsidy is gone.
Following the president’s announcement, marketers of the commodity within the metropolis largely shut down their stations as they are anticipating a massive windfall.
Although the product was sold at almost all stations in the capital city two days ago and there was apparently a surplus of supply, things have taken a dramatic turn.
Most stations within the metropolis have remained shut as at Tuesday morning despite having the product in stock and the few stations selling fuel now do between N900 to N1000 per litre.
As a result of this, transport fares have doubled within the metropolis and most students and workers have chosen to remain indoors hoping the situation will ease off.
A University of Cross River student, Agnes Asuquo expressed disappointment with the sudden increase in price of fuel.
She said the increase had led to a 100 per cent hike in her daily fare to and from school.
According to her, “I reside at Goldie and usually spend N200 naira to school on a daily basis.
“This morning to my chagrin, I was told that I have to pay extra N200 to school and since I cannot afford that, I have to stay at home.
“The sudden increase in the fare will disrupt my plan for the semester so I have to skip school for some days so I can meet up”, she said.
Also speaking, a public servant Ewa Nsa said they have been bearing the brunt of the economic crisis in the country and this explains the reason for frequent strikes.
He insisted that the minimum wage paid by government is not just a joke but a mockery on people who are working for government.
“As you can see, due to the new policy of government, transport fare across the metropolis have doubled over night.
“How do you expect us to make ends meet when things continue getting this bad. Our salaries have been fixed for over a decade now yet prices of commodities have been increasing unabating.
“Government is supposed to review these wages as the economy worsens because we are bearing the burnt but this is not the case.
“Our salaries can barely take us home and if you have to pay N800 daily on transportation you can imagine what it amounts to at the end of every month”, he said.
Ekeng Andem, a commercial driver said they had to double their fares in order to remain afloat.
He insisted that if fuel is sold at N1,000 per liter, there is no way they will not increase their fares otherwise they will have to drive at a loss.
“Two days ago, we bought fuel at between N250 to N350 however this morning I bought a liter at N700, but later the station was no longer selling without any reason.
“Others now sell at about N1,000 per liter and the black market price starts from N1,500 per liter.
“In this case, how do you expect us to breakthrough with the old fares?”, He queried.
Checks by our correspondent reveal that tricycles within the metropolis now charge N200 per drop irrespective of distance.
Similarly, taxis and mini buses now charge between 150 to 200 per drop depending on the distance.