Abuja motorists, residents groan amid hike in petrol price, hardship

Abuja map

Motorists and residents in the Federal Capital Territory are facing mounting hardship due to the persistent rise in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), triggering higher transportation costs and driving up the cost of living.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that many fuel stations previously sold petrol between N875 and N880 per litre.

Currently, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is selling at N1,261, while other outlets charge between N1,335 and N1,383 or more.

Investigations indicate that petrol prices have been increased more than five times within a single month.

The price surge has forced many commercial and private car owners to park their vehicles due to unaffordable fuel costs.

As a result, few commercial vehicles are operating, leaving commuters, including civil servants, stranded at bus stops across the city.

Some motorists told NAN that the sudden increases have added pressure to daily expenses and worsened the cost of transportation and goods.

Nuhu Sani, a commercial driver, said, “Each time the fuel price goes up, we have no choice but to increase transport fares, but passengers complain because their incomes have not increased.

“The situation is becoming unbearable, as many are struggling to cope with the ripple effects on their livelihoods. This high cost of fuel has also reduced my daily earnings, as fewer people can afford regular travel.” Punch