By Jimoh Ahmed

Despite assurances by the Presidency that the latest fuel price hike in Nigeria is in national interest, it has sparked widespread discontent and anger, with Nigerians from different walks of life lamenting the harsh realities they face.

Nigerians, including labour leaders, business owners, and professionals alike are voicing their frustrations, urging the government to rethink its approach and provide relief for the struggling populace.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had last week increased the pump price of petrol from N568 to N855, N897 per litre, depending on the location, amid lingering fuel scarcity and economic hardship in the country.

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration moves forward with economic reforms, one of the most painful steps has been the removal of fuel subsidies, leading to a sharp increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

This decision, though touted as the game charger in the nation.s economic recovery, has however unleashed a wave of hardship across the country, particularly for low- and middle-income earners.

The current increase in price of petrol has emboldened independent marketers to sell the product at different prices ranging between ₦1,200 to ₦1,400 per litre, further pauperizing the citizens as the marketers claimed they didn’t have the product as justification for the extortion.

Ondo State chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Clement Fatuase, and his Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) counterpart, who also doubles as State acting NLC Chairman, Comrade, Olapade Ademola, said workers can no longer cope with the current hike in fuel price.

The labour leaders argued that with the prevailing economic situation, the yet-to-be paid N70,000 new minimum wage cannot take workers anywhere, hence the need for government to urgently address the situation.

According to them, talks are ongoing with the state government on the way forward and plans to address the hardship, stressing that the recent hike in petroleum price caught them unawares, saying nobody expected such at this critical period.

They equally added that the state chapters of the labour centres are waiting for their national Secretariats for further directives, stressing that the current economic hardship is becoming unbearable for all.

Fatuase said, “The effects of the current hike are numerous and very dangerous to the survival of workers and the masses. This is callous.

“I could recollect that in May 2023, PMS was N168 per litre, with the same N30, 000 minimum wage that some state governments didn’t pay. Now, the PMS is N1, 300 per litre, am confused, how are we going to cope?

“The position of our leaders is that they are not happy with care-free attitude of the present government to the welfare of Nigerians. We are very sure that the ever conscious leaders will made known their position very soon.”

Also, Ademola added that, “even, the price at which we were buying fuel before was on the high side, not to talk of the new hike. In fact, it is like an heart attack to everybody. Transportation fares have jumped up and it’s seriously affecting workers who majorly live in far areas.

“What they spend on transportation on daily basis now is about double or even more. As at last week, I saw a filling station in the heart of Akure which sold fuel at N1,400 per litre.

“With the pump price of N1,250, N1,300 and N1,400, you know what it means to buy 50 litres, because any civil servant who wants to go to the office with his or her own vehicle within the space of one week or a week plus, will buy more than 50 litres of fuel. And if they want to use public transport, they will be spending close to or more than N2,000 per day. This is apart from buying food at home and paying children school fees and other things. So, directly or indirectly, we can’t cope; there is problem now.

“But let me use opportunity to commend our workers-friendly Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for continuing to pay wage award even after the six months duration, and his promise to pay the N70,000 new minimum wage. We really appreciate the governor for his kind gesture.”

As schools resume new academic session, parents, public servants and school owners lamented the price hike, saying they will find it excruciating difficult to bear the high transport costs.

Mrs. Lara and Mrs Alabi Eunice, explained that the present economic situation is becoming unbearable, as their daily transportation costs have jumped up to as much as N1900, N2,500 within the town just to go to office or buy food items in the market.

Also, Olabisi Ogundare, Michael Sunday, Solape, Adebayo Kehinde, Alabi Eunice, in their separate remarks, expressed their disappointment, saying when transport cost increase, the price of goods and services also rises, creating a ripple effect across the economy.

Although, some residents expressed hope that by the time the Dangote refinery hits the markets with its products, it will alleviate the current fuel scarcity in the country. Opinions are also divided on its potential impact.

Investigations by The Hope revealed that fuel stations which have the product are selling between N1,200 and N1,400, while majority of major marketers claimed they didn’t have the product.

Like every other Nigerians, Mrs. Olubu Ademola, a trader was visibly distressed as she described the toll the fuel price hike has taken on her business. “Transport cost will kill us,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

 For traders like her, transportation is essential, as they rely on daily trips to and from markets to stock up on goods.

The cost of these trips has skyrocketed in recent months, doubling in some areas. “Before, I could pay N500 to transport my goods from the market. Now, I have to pay N1,200 or more. It is impossible to make any profit. “The transport sector, heavily dependent on fuel, has been particularly hard hit.

Commercial drivers, truck operators, and logistics companies have been forced to raise their fares significantly, a situation that further compounds the hardships faced by commuters and other citizens.

Mallam Nasiru Surajdeen, a motorist and commercial driver, said, “With the new pump price of PMS, nearly all vehicles will stay off the roads. It used to be hard, but now it is unbearable. I have to double or triple my fares just to make up for the high cost of fuel.”

He, however, noted that with the economic strain on most Nigerians, many passengers cannot afford the new transport fares, leaving drivers with little or no gain.

Mrs. Racheal Lasisi, a secondary school teacher, described the current situation as “a trying time like never before, saying that public sector workers,  and indeed, ordinary citizens would grapple with the harsh reality of stagnant wages amidst rising inflation.

Mr. Ojulari Johnson, a retired civil servant in Ondo State, said, removing the subsidy might be necessary, but the way government had done it was wrong, adding that “we need palliatives. We need programmes that will help reduce the suffering. Government should introduce immediate relief measures, such as increasing the minimum wage, providing fuel vouchers for low-income earners, or implementing public transport subsidies to ease the burden on commuters.