Kwara Residents Groan as Fuel Price Increase Bites Harder

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Residents of Kwara state have expressed disappointment and apprehension over the new petrol price template announced by the NNPCL on Wednesday.

Since the announcement, various fuel stations in the state have complied with the new price regime.

It was gathered that many filling stations belonging to independent marketers in the Ilorin metropolis had begun to sell fuel at between N500 and N700 per litre before the NNPCL announcement on Wednesday.

The effect of the development was hike in transportation fares as a drop of commercial motorcycle increased from N100 to N200 per drop, while commercial vehicle transporters charged N100 per drop from N50.

THISDAY investigations also revealed that queues have gone in most filling stations that have fuel due to hike in the price of the product.

However, queues were still noticed in some filling stations that sell at moderate prices lower than that of others.

The development according to THISDAY checks have continued to have serious effects on the socio economic plights of residents of the state.

A visit to some of the major markets in Ilorin, yesterday, revealed that, buying and selling of the product have changed drastically.

Prices of foodstuffs and other household materials have increased in the markets.

Also, a visit to the state secretariat in Ilorin, showed the dwindling resumption of workers as some workers were not able to meet the hardship occasioned by the 200 per cent increase in taxi cab and Okada riding in the city.

Speaking with THISDAY in Ilorin yesterday  in separate interviews, residents lamented that the new pump price of petrol would contribute to already harsh economic lives being experienced by the people.

They appealed to the present administration to tread softly saying that, “There is serious hardship in the land and the government should have put palliatives on ground before it removes the fuel subsidy in the country.”