Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have continued to lament the recent increase in fuel prices as they struggle with the rising cost of living in the country, appealing to President Bola Tinubu to ease the sufferings of Nigerians by reversing the petrol price hike.
The unexpected 50 per cent increase in the fuel price has eaten deep into the economy, driving up prices of essential goods and services, and increased financial hardships for many Nigerians.
The price increase, which came into effect early last week, has seen petrol prices soar to record highs of between N980/litre and N1,400 per litre depending on the area, adding to the already mounting pressure on household budgets.
A civil servant from the Kpaduma community, Mr Simon Yerima, lamented that the price increase has affected his plan negatively since it controls all aspects of the economy.
“The sudden increase in the price of petrol has already created a multiplying effect on prices of not only foodstuffs but several other areas such as transportation among others.
“We expected so much from this government, but what we are seeing now is the least we expected from Tinubu. I had to leave my vehicle at home, to take public transport to work, because I could not buy fuel at the current price.
”The situation is dire for low-income households like ours, who are already struggling to survive on meagre earnings from the federal government. I do not know how I will manage to feed my family,” he said.
A commercial taxi driver, Okechukwu Uche, also lamented that the price increase had taken away the little savings he had as a driver and that he was worried about the future of his family.
“Passengers have been complaining that the price of transport is too high, but what choice do we have when we are buying fuel from N980 to N1,000 per litre?
“From Bwari to Berger roundabout is N1,500, while from Berger to Area 1 roundabout is N500, which is not supposed to be so. People are complaining that it is too bad. I have never seen this kind of thing before since my existence.
“One litre of fuel is from N980 to N1000. I do not know what to do. It is very terrible. I have seven children, how do I cater for them when I am spending that high on fuel? How much do you make from this business?” he said.
He appealed to President Tinubu to make Nigerians feel the positive impact of the renewed agenda to avoid criminality.
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