It’s unbearable, Abuja residents lament as fuel price hits N1,200 per litre

 

IBRAHIM QUADRI  with agency reports

 

 

Some stranded commuters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, narrated unpleasant experiences they were going through, following a petrol pump price hike.

 

The commuters said the petrol price increase had worsened the sufferings they were passing through for months, with a shortage of the product.

 

NNPCL retail management had, on Tuesday, September 3, approved an upward review of petrol pump prices from N568-N617 per litre to N855–N897 per litre, depending on the location of their stations.

 

Checks revealed that the NNPC retail stations adjusted their pumps and totems (price boards), reflecting the new price of N897 as against N617 per litre in Abuja.

 

The independent marketers also adjusted their pumps, as they were now selling between N930 and N1,200.

 

Also, there has been scarcity of fuel in Abuja in the last two months with motorists enduring long queue to buy the product.

 

Following the announcement of the hike in price, queues at the few filling stations dispensing the product worsened.

 

Speaking on the development, a clerk in a private firm, Amina Yusuf, said: “Yesterday (Tuesday), I paid N1,000 from my house in Gudu to Garki where I work, only to leave my office and realised the fare had increased by 50 per cent.

 

“I stood for hours at the Phototech junction waiting for vehicle to go back because the fare had been increased to N1,500.

 

“I had to beg other commuters who helped me out. One gave me N300 while the other added N200 before I could leave the bus stop.

 

“It was a harrowing experience, because I hate begging, but I had no choice.”

 

Yusuf said she had to source funds from an online loan platform before coming to the office in the morning, adding that her employer would not take an excuse for absence or else she would get sacked.

 

 

“My salary is just N60,000 in a month. With this development, it is even not enough for transportation,” she lamented.

 

 

Another commuter, Kingsley Okoye, said the fare hike had burdened his finances.

 

Okoye said: “From Apo to Gudu, we were paying N250 fare but I was charged N400 this morning.

 

“I had to look for where to make a withdrawal and get more cash so I would not get stranded at work.

 

“This situation is unbearable. The government is not looking at the suffering of Nigerians; they are only concerned with policies and regulations, which do not favour us.”

 

On her part, Jennifer Fabian said she used to spend N200 from Nyanya to the city centre until the fuel subsidy removal when the fare was increased to N600.

 

Fabian added that with the new increase in fuel price, the transport cost increased to N1,200, which she said was very high compared to her income.

 

The resident said: “This increase will definitely trickle down to affect virtually everything in the economy, especially the cost of food, which is already high.

 

“President Bola Tinubu should review the policies because Nigerians are suffering.

Reacting, commercial drivers in Abuja said they had no choice but to increase fares to cover their costs.

A driver, Paulinus Eze, said: “We cannot run at a loss. As we speak, most filling stations are not even selling fuel yet and the ones that are selling have adjusted their prices.

“NIPCO, where I usually buy fuel, has increased its price from N640 to N945, and I heard AYA Shafa is selling at N880 instead of N700.

“It is not our fault. We have to increase the price so that we can remain in business.

“We also have family members to take care of.”

Commercial drivers Joseph Adamu, Paul Olarenwaju, and Edeh Thomas corroborated Eze’s position in justifying the increased fare.

They, therefore, called on the federal government to intervene and take measures to bring the pump price down and address huger and sufferings of the masses.

 

.Tinubu didn’t promise labour he won’t increase fuel price –Presidency

Meanwhile, The Presidency on Wednesday denied allegations from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero that President Bola Tinubu broke a promise to keep fuel prices stable.

Ajaero had accused the President of betraying Nigerians by increasing fuel prices despite assurances to the contrary.

A media aide to President Tinubu, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz dismissed the NLC’s claims as “dirty politics.”

He said that during two meetings between President Tinubu and labour leaders, there was no discussion linking a minimum wage increase to a fuel price hike.

Abdulaziz emphasized that the President made no such promise.

In response to the NLC’s accusations, Abdulaziz tweeted, “I sat through the two meetings President @officialABAT had with Labour leaders on minimum wage.   At neither of the meetings was an offer made in exchange for a fuel price hike. Ajaero is once again playing his dirty politics with the emotions of Nigerians.”

The NLC, however, insists that the recent increase in fuel prices is a violation of the conditions under which they accepted the new N70,000 national minimum wage.

.You betrayed Nigerians first, group tackles NLC

However, The Citizens for Democratic Dividends in Nigeria on Wednesday faulted the claims by the Nigeria Labour Congress that the Federal Government betrayed its trust by increasing the price of fuel despite the agreement over the new minimum wage of N70,000, which was way below the initial proposal of the organised labour.

 

The group, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Ahmad Idris, noted that the NLC betrayed Nigerians first by accepting the minimum wage of N70,000 while turning a blind eye to the sufferings of millions of Nigerians.

 

The group noted that the Joe Ajaero-led NLC also refused to participate in the #EndBadGovernanceProtests, which took place nationwide.

 

Ajaero, in a statement, on Tuesday, accused President Bola Tinubu of betraying the union following the recent hike in fuel prices.

 

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The NLC faulted the increase in Premium Motor Spirit’s pump price and described it as a “deep sense of betrayal.”

 

The NLC recalled that one reason for accepting the N70,000 national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased.

 

The Congress accused the government of reneging on its promises and implementing “ferocious right-wing market policies” that have brought Nigerians to their “all-time low”.

 

But the group in the statement said, “CDDN recalls that NLC and Ajaero openly re

 

.Confusion as NANs’ leaders disagree over proposed nationwide protest on Sept. 15

 

 

However, there was confusion yesterday as two different leaders of The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) issued conflicting statements on proposed nationwide protest on Sept. 15.

 

Earlier yesterday ,one of the leaders of The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a notification of a planned massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective September 15, 2024.

 

 

According to him , The protest is to kick against fuel price hike and alleged incompetence of the NNPC Director General, Mele Kyari.

 

The notification signed by the President of the Senate, NANS, Okunomo Henry Adewumi, the students union demanded an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Mr. Mele Kyari as the NNPC Director General.

 

The students plan to occupy all major cities on September 15, 2024, and have assured that the protest will be peaceful and lawful if NNPC authorities refuse to fulfil the demands of protesters.

 

The notification has been sent to various security agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Chief of Defence Staff, Nigerian Armed Forces, and all State Governors.

 

A circular already trending on social media issued to pass the shutdown notice reads: “We write to notify you of an impending massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective 15th September 2024, in protest of the recent hike in fuel prices and the gross incompetence of the NPC Director General, Mele Kyari.

 

“The incessant increase in fuel prices has brought untold hardship to the masses, and we can no longer stand idly by while our future is mortgaged by the actions of a few. We demand an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Mr. Kyari as the NNPC DG.

 

“We call on all Nigerian students across the country to wake up to this clarion call, as we will be occupying all major cities on the 15th of September, 2024. We shall not be silenced, and we shall not be intimidated. We shall rise in unison to demand a better deal for Nigerian students and the masses.

 

“We urge you to take necessary measures to maintain law and order during the shutdown, as we assure you that our protest will be peaceful and lawful.”

 

Meanwhile, In a counter statement another leader of the  National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has distanced itself from a planned protest scheduled for September 15, 2024 against the recent fuel price hike.

 

NANS explained that it does not support any actions that could lead to civil unrest or disrupt public order.

 

The association’s leadership stressed its commitment to peaceful and constructive dialogue as the preferred approach to address concerns over fuel prices.

 

NANS reaffirmed its stance against any form of agitation that might compromise public peace and safety.

This is contained in a statement signed by NANS senate president, Afeez Akinteye on Wednesday, who described the information as a baseless one that does not represent the position of NANS.

 

The statement reads, “The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been made aware of rumors and misinformation circulating across various platforms, suggesting that NANS is planning a massive shutdown of major cities across the country.

 

“We wish to categorically state that NANS has not announced or endorsed any such protest. These reports are entirely baseless and do not reflect the position or intentions of our organisation.”

 

Akinteye said the umbrella body representing the interests of Nigerian students, has always been committed to peaceful advocacy and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders.

 

It said, “We understand the critical importance of maintaining peace and stability in our nation, especially during these challenging times. Any actions that could lead to civil unrest or the disruption of public order are not, and will never be, supported by NANS.

 

“We strongly urge the public, the media, and all stakeholders to disregard these false reports. The individuals or groups behind these rumours are faceless entities who seek to exploit the name of NANS for their malicious purposes. They aim to destabilise the country and create unnecessary tension among citizens. We categorically disassociate ourselves from any such plans or intentions.”

 

The student leader called on security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the origin of the misinformation.

 

According to him, those responsible for spreading the ‘falsehood must be identified and held accountable’.

 

Akinteye explained that the use of the NANS’ name to propagate such unfounded claims is not only a threat to national security but also a grave disservice to the millions of students who genuinely seek positive change through legitimate means.

 

It said, “Furthermore, we urge security agencies to act decisively in apprehending any individuals or groups attempting to use the name of NANS to incite unrest or disrupt the peace of our nation. We must collectively ensure that the integrity of our democratic processes and the rule of law are upheld at all times.

 

“NANS remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for the rights and welfare of Nigerian students. We will continue to pursue this mission through peaceful, lawful, and constructive channels.

 

“Let it be known that NANS stands firmly for peace, progress, and the unity of our nation.

 

“We appreciate the ongoing support of Nigerian students and the public, and we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and not to fall prey to those who seek to manipulate and mislead for their selfish gains.”

 

NANS is presently beset by internal divisions, with multiple factions vying for influence and authority. Consequently, it is plausible that one of these factions may have issued a call to action, mobilizing students to participate in the protest, while another faction, perhaps with differing ideologies or agendas, opted to dissociate themselves from the movement and actively worked to bring it to a halt.