Fuel subsidy protests across Nigeria•Transport fares, commodity prices jacked up

Posted by admin NNP Spotlight, Oil Politics, Top Stories Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

PROTESTS broke out in different parts of the country on Monday, as labour unions threatened to paralyse the country over the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

In Lagos, Ilorin, Kano, Abuja and other cities, there were protests by hundreds of people over the removal, which had affected virtually everything.

Many passengers were stranded in various bus stations in Delta State, on Monday, following increase in transport fares.

Worst hit were those travelling back to Lagos and the northern states after the Yuletide.

Investigation by the Nigerian Tribune showed that fares had doubled, with commuters travelling to Lagos from Asaba paying as much as N5,000; from Asaba to Benin N1,000 while those returning to Abuja or Kano paid N8,000 and N10,000 respectively, depending on comfort of the vehicle.

Most of the travellers at the River Niger head bridge park, Asaba, said their predicament was unforseen, as the new fuel price regime took them by surprise, especially coming on the first day of the year, when those who travelled to their villages were expected to be returning.

Also, intra-city and inter-city fares went up by 100 per cent, as commuters in Asaba paid N60 a drop for a distance which hitheto attracted N30 while okada riders have also doubled their charges. Asaba to Ogwashi-Uku now attracts a fare 0f N200 as against N100, while Agbor to Benin, and Agbor to Abraka is now N400 instead of N200.

At Agbor, Ogwashi uku, and other towns the situation is the same.

Those who spoke to our correspondents condenmed the increase in pump price of fuel from N65 to over N145 per litre.

According to Mr Jude Okei, a civil servant, the Federal Government by this action was not sincere as it had earlier told Nigerians that the new price would commence in April this year after consultations.

A survey by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that prices of foodstuffs and other commodities in the area have been affected adversely.

Meanwhile, hundreds of youths in Kano, on Monday, staged a protest to express their displeasure at the removal of fuel subsidy accused President Jonathan of insensitivity to the yearnings and feelings of Nigerians.

The demonstration, which was, however, peaceful, was staged at Sabo-ntiti, Mandawri, Taludu and in some other parts of Gwale in Kano metropolis.

Some of the different placards carried by the youth read: “No to subsidy removal”; “Jonathan, you want to kill Nigerians”; “PDP’s government brings hardship”; “Jonathan, stop deceiving the masses; among others.

While speaking with newsmen, Mu’azu Ibrahim, said the masses of the country were surprised that President Jonathan could do such a thing.

He said what was worrisome was that the proposed 2012 budget in which the Federal Government planned to remove the fuel subsidy was yet to be approved.

Ibrahim also disclosed that the masses were disturbed that after they had given the PDP government the mandate, President Jonathan had resolved to be less concerned about the plight of the downtrodden.

He warned the Federal Government to, as a matter of necessity, rescind the decision to remove the fuel subsidy or be ready for the consequence.

Ibrahim further declared that their protest was just to warn the government of the inherent danger and resistance the youth would stage to force Jonathan to change the cruel decision.

“We would go further to re-mobilise across the country for a bigger protest if eventually the Federal Government remains adamant. A word is enough or the wise,” he said.

However, despite the fact that there were many security men around the places where the protest took place, they neither molested nor arrested the protesters.

In another development, commercial motorists in Kogi State have abandoned the road following the removed oil subsidy by the Federal Government.

Passengers were stranded as most filling stations refused to sell to motorists as some of the commercial vehicles that had fuel in their motors jacked up their fares by over 300 per cent, which left motorists in their hundreds stranded.

Some filling stations in Lokoja metropolis revealed that even some of them that had the stock before the announcement of the removal have refused to sell even as the black marketers have been flooded been flooded by the disappointed motorists selling at N300 per litre.

The commercial vehicles going to Abuja from Lokoja now charge N200, while from Lokoja to Ilorin is N4,000.

At the NNPC mega station on Ganaja Road, many vehicles were parked even as it was under lock and key.

Also at the Total and AP filling stations in the heart of the city, no attendant was in sight even as the gates were closed.

But the situation was slightly different in Anyigba, in Kogi East, because fuel stations were selling fuel but at N250 per litre.

According to the pump attendant at one of the stations, identified as Ikoojo, the people of the area were used to buying above regulated price, hence there was no qualms with the new price regime.

Meanwhile, Mallam Kabir Idris, an okada operator in Lokoja, said if the intention of the government was to improve the lives of Nigerians, so be it but advised caution.

He noted that President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign promises of fresh air should not be turned into fresh agony for the people, adding that he had a date with destiny.

Also, residents of Ondo State, on Monday, woke up to the reality of the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, as transport fares skyrocketed in many towns in the state.

Checks in towns like Akure, Owo, Ikare-Akoko, Ondo, Okitipupa, among others, showed that intra-towns and inter-towns fares had gone up by almost 300 per cent.

Also, price of petroleum in the town varied among the stations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), major and independent marketers.

While the NNPC mega station sells the product at the rate of N138 per litre, the major marketers sell between N140 and N145 and the independent markets sell at between N145 and N150 per litre.

It was, however, observed that there were not many queues in many of the filling stations as the stations that had dispensed fuel before now were selling fuel.

Nigerian Tribune also gathered that a taxi that used to be N30 in Akure now had gone up to N60, while distance determined the rate of others.

Many commuters were stranded as transport fares from Akure to other parts of the country had gone up.

Akure to Port Harcourt that used to be N2,500 now cost N7,000, while Akure to Abuja that used to be N3,000 at the park now cost N7,500.

Akure to Lagos that was N1,250 at the park has risen to N3,500, while Akure to Ibadan that was N700 is now N1,500.

-Tribunewp_posts