Residents in Imo grumble as the expense of living rises

Residents of Owerri, the capital of Imo State, have been severely impacted by the recent scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), generally known as petrol, and the resulting increase in the product’s pump price.

Many Imolites are concerned about how the rising price of fuel (petrol) is impacting the cost of other necessities such as food, transportation, and clothing.

During a visit to certain filling stations on Thursday, furucinovel discovered that the product was sold for between N350 and N400 per litre, as opposed to the official pump price of N185.

Residents have suffered enormous suffering as a result of the development, and they are now pleading with the necessary authorities to solve the issue.

Ogechi Iwu, a foodstuff trader at Eke-Ukwu Owerri market, told furucinovel that she has seen her customers struggle with rising costs in recent months.

“The cost of rice, garri, onions, and noodles has skyrocketed. Some have more than doubled, while others have increased by varying percentages as a result of the high cost of transportation induced by the fuel price increase,” she explained.

Some motorists stated that filling stations throughout the state had continued to stockpile the supplies, making the situation much more difficult for people.

According to Chijioke Aneke, a commercial bus driver, black market operators, among others, hawk and dangle the goods at practically every corner at a very high price.

“One litre of petrol costs as much as N600,” he moaned.

Emeka Chijindu, a commercial taxi driver, said the rate increase was unavoidable, adding, “We buy petrol at N350/litre, some areas at N400/litre.”

He stated that new tyres that were once N7,000 are now N35, 000. I could go on. It’s simply business death if we don’t raise transportation fares.”

He stated that the availability of fuel for purchase was more important to them than the price increase.

“We’re all hanging in there. We understand commuters’ frustrations, but we can’t help ourselves. “This is the country we found ourselves in,” he explained.

Other neighbors slammed the Federal Government, accusing it of sinking Nigerians into abject poverty.

Chizy Onyeocha, a student of Alvan Ikoku College of Education, expressed dissatisfaction regarding the hike in fuel pump price stating that “after ASUU went on strike which affected all public universities, we are now faced with fuel price and scarcity; how are students expected to survive?”

She condemned the sharp increment in petrol prices, saying it’s another devastating moment for the welfare of Nigerian students, which in turn affects their academic activities.

She said, “I live a bit far from the school, around Akwakuma junction but before I can get to school I need to take a bus of N150 which was initially N50. It now costs nothing less than N300 in a day. I don’t have any more savings,” she lamented.

Also, a Mass Communication student of Imo State University, Daniel Chukwuyere said some students are selective in attending lectures since the cost of transportation is becoming unbearable and they have no option.

Chukwuyere urged the government to do something about it before it gets out of hand.

A trader, Ngozi Okwara grumbled that the situation led to a hike in the cost of transportation.

She explained that “from Akwakuma Bus Stop to the new market was N100. Now, we pay N200. To bring back the goods to my shop with a drop, from the bush market, used to cost me about N3,500 to N5,500 some months ago. Now, I pay as much as N8,500 for the same quantity of goods.”

She further said, “When we complain, the drivers blame it on the increase in fuel price. To recoup what I spent bringing the goods from the market, I adjusted the prices of my wares as well. I slightly increased the price of every item so that I can make a profit.”

Reacting to the ugly development, the Imo State Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Dr. Chidiebere Okoroafor, who spoke through the phone, said It’s a national issue which is not peculiar to Imo State alone.

While appealing for calm he said, “Everybody should take things easy, let’s see how we can manage the situation in a few months’ time.

“I appeal to the FG to ensure our refineries come back. They have promised us severally that they will start functioning soon, once the refineries are functional, all this anomaly will stop.

“I’m speaking to you from Abuja, you need to see the queue because it’s not something that has to do with Imo State alone. These people have promised us that they will bring in more products and supply will improve, let’s see how it goes. It’s not a permanent situation. I want to use this platform to appeal to Imo people to please endure for a while.”