Residents of Abakaliki, Ebonyi capital, have expressed worry over the sudden upward adjustment in the pump price of petrol.

On a Tuesday visit to some filling stations, petrol was sold between N200 and N230 per litre instead of N185.

The situation bites harder in the state as many filling stations hoard the products.

The residents expressed worry and urged President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime to intervene to reduce their suffering.

James Odoh, a commercial driver, revealed that the sudden hike was worrisome, especially now that the Christmas celebration was fast approaching.

“You know, in this country, once the price of fuel is increased, it affects prices of every other commodity in the market. Though the price of food items had been on the increase before now, this cost of fuel is causing more difficulties,” Mr Odoh explained.

He added, “I am a driver, and it bites harder every day. You pay through your nose to buy fuel, (and) in the end, you won’t have the gains. It is not easy to survive this heat, but man must work. The prices of transportation are yet to be increased. The fare to Enugu, Port Harcourt and Abuja is still the same.”

According to him, transport for Enugu is between N1,000 and N1,200, Port Harcourt between N4,500 and N5,000, and Abuja between N8,000 and N15,000, respectively, depending on the transporters.

“The expenses at hand have doubled. You buy food at (a) high cost, and you service your vehicle at (a) high cost. The government should come to the aid of the poor masses,” stated Mr Odoh.

Mary Okoro, a housewife, said it was necessary to set up a monitoring team and task force to checkmate the situation.

Monday Chukwu, a teacher, urged the Buhari regime and the Petroleum Products Price Regulatory Agencies to address the rising cost of petroleum products urgently.

Mr Chukwu expressed fear that the current petrol price would affect transport fares, especially during the Yuletide. 

(NAN)