Residents of Benin City are voicing strong frustration over the recent surge in petrol prices, which has significantly impacted their daily lives. On Tuesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) raised the pump price from N617 to N897 per litre, effective September 3. This adjustment comes amid ongoing economic challenges and persistent fuel shortages.
At some filling stations in Edo State, the price of petrol has surged to as high as N1,300 per litre, with many stations reflecting this new rate immediately. This dramatic increase has caused widespread concern and frustration among locals, who are calling for a rollback to previous price levels.
Blacky Ogiamen, leader of the Edo Market Women Association, urged the federal government to revert to the former price, emphasizing the negative impact on the local economy. “The rise in fuel prices is driving up the cost of living even further,” Ogiamen warned. “Higher fuel costs will inevitably lead to increased prices for food and other essentials.”
Poultry farmer Solomon Uwa reported that he has been forced to raise the price of his products due to the increased cost of fuel. “I have had to add N200 to the price of a crate of eggs to offset the additional fuel expenses,” Uwa said, highlighting the unsustainable nature of the current fuel prices for his business.
Commercial driver Jacob Isere expressed his dismay over the soaring fuel costs, which he believes are beyond the reach of most people. “Two days ago, I bought fuel at N910 per litre, but today, prices have jumped to between N1,100 and N1,200,” Isere said. “We need a reduction in fuel prices to help ease the burden on everyday activities.”
Civil servant Deborah Idemudia criticized the price hike as contrary to the federal government’s previous agreements with labour unions. “The agreement was that fuel prices would remain stable with the introduction of the new N70,000 minimum wage,” Idemudia noted. “Now, my transportation costs have increased by N200 for a single route, adding an extra N1,000 to my weekly expenses. This is not sustainable given that salaries have not increased.”
Austin Atakpo, president of the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, called for a more effective decentralization of the fuel market. “If the government claims to have decentralized the fuel system, it should reflect in practice, not just on paper,” Atakpo said. “For instance, the Dangote refinery should operate its own petrol stations, similar to NNPC’s mega stations.”
The rising fuel prices continue to stir significant discontent, with residents and business owners alike demanding urgent action to alleviate the economic strain.
