‘Our take on new petrol pump price’

The Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) has increased the retail pump price of petrol between N168.17 and N170.17, the fifth such increase in the last five months. The pump price of petrol was N121.50 in May. Some Nigerians reacted to this development.

Comrade Mukhtar Muhammad, 40, civil servant, Kaduna

The Federal Government’s decision to increase petroleum pump price at this time is wrong and will add to the hardship of Nigerians who are yet to recover from increase in electricity tariff. This is the same President Muhammadu Buhari who promised to sell petrol at a reduced price. Instead, he has continued to increase pump price, adding to the sufferings of Nigerians. What they don’t know is that it is such action by the government that leads to protests.

Adebayo Olajunwon, 54, commercial motorcyclist, Lagos

We did not expect this because we have been complaining about the previous price which was about N160. The price has been increased again and we have not been making gains commensurate with the money we spend on fuel. If we increase the fare, people will complain. I hope the government can help us and do something about this. We are suffering, seriously.

Femi Owoeye, 57, Publisher, Lagos

If the government says it has withdrawn subsidy, what it means is that fuel price will now depend on market forces because we depend on importation. I will not blame the government for removing subsidy because most countries have been hit by COVID-19. When Buhari came to power, there was pressure on him to remove subsidy because he said it would affect poor people. But coronavirus has shut down the economies of countries globally. I am talking about economics, not emotion. People don’t understand how the economy works. Even Saudi Arabia took several drastic steps and even reduced the salaries of its workers.

Khadija Sa’ad Mohammed, businesswoman, Kaduna

Each time the FG increases fuel price, everything in the country increases, especially foodstuff and the cost of transportation. The masses are already suffering and we are tired. Our money has no value yet things get costlier by the day.

Mustafa Ahmad, 25, barber, Jos

The increase will not be good for Nigerians. It will affect my business. The moment petrol price increases, we get confused because it will be hard to increase the price of barbing overnight. As I am talking to you now, I don’t have fuel in my generator. The government should do something about it.

Alhaji Nafiu Ya’u, 39, politician, Jos

It is unfortunate that Nigerians would just wake up to hear that fuel price has increased once again. This means we are fighting two battles now. We are struggling to buy foodstuff at exorbitant prices and at the same time buying fuel at a higher price. The government should look into the situation.

Abdulmumin Shehu, 48, security guard, Kaduna

We are not happy about this because low-income earners like us are the ones paying greatly for all these policies. Presently, things are hard because foodstuffs are expensive in the market.
This government is not being fair to ordinary Nigerians that voted them into office. Don’t they want us to eat? My appeal is for the government to reduce the pump price of petrol so that price of foodstuff can be reduced in the market.

Kehinde Oni, 45, hair stylist, Lagos

This is not the right time to increase the pump price of petrol. Everything is expensive and this new price would further add to the woes of the masses. I was shocked when I got to the petrol station and was told fuel price has been increased to N172. This is not too good at all. Electricity supply is abysmal, I have been running on a generator, but I could not buy the amount of fuel I wanted to buy because of this increase. This is not going to be funny. This will definitely lead to further increase in virtually everything.

Shehu Usman Umaru, 59, Management Support Services, Kano

The president has betrayed all promises he made to the electorate and is living high and mighty on the pangs and pains of the people for free. This is turning a blind eye to the plight of working Nigerians and disregard for the unemployed. As usually done by the presidency, it deliberately inflicts pain and suffering. May Allah save Nigerians.

Sani Aminu Yusufu, 29, businessman, Kano

When I first heard of it, I did not believe because the price was recently increased. Before these series of fuel increment, I told people that we should give this government a chance, now I am telling this government not to let us down. They need to turn things around for the better. These increments are killing us indirectly, and fuel is one of the few things people benefit from the government directly.
The resultant effects of this increase have put many in a difficult situation. In three months, we witnessed incessant increase in fuel pump price. We collectively resisted this kind of injustice during Jonathan’s administration. This is an attempt to impoverish us.