IMO STATE RESIDENTS EXPERIENCE HIKE IN PETROL PUMP PRICE
Residents of Imo State have lamented the sudden increase in the price of premium motor spirit otherwise known as fuel which has risen from one hundred and forty-five naira per litre to one hundred and fifty naira at most filling stations in the State.
When Radio Nigeria visited filling stations within and outside Owerri Metropolis, most of the major dealers were not dispensing petrol as they claimed they did not have the product.
However, those that opened for business had adjusted t heir pumps to one hundred and fifty naira.
Some motorists who spoke with Radio Nigeria called on the Federal Government to come to their rescue as the situation if unchecked would impose more hardship on them.
“ Suddenly, it’s just one fifty now, some filling stations have stopped selling but I believe they are hoarding, it affects me.’’
‘’I never expected this at this time of the year, the next thing is to increase transport fare.’’
Reacting to the development, the Chairman Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, Imo State Chapter, Mr. Christopher Amadi attributed the situation to scarcity of the product in the depot and increase in cost of transportation.
‘’ We are finding it difficult to buy the product and whenever we see this product at depots we are picking it at one hundred and forty-two naira fifty kobo. Coming down to Imo State, it is coming at one hundred and forty seven to one hundred and forty eight naira. It is not our making, those selling at one hundred and forty five are selling at a lost.’’
Mr. Amadi called on the Federal Government to intervene on the matter noting that cost of the premium motor spirit in Imo State will reduce significantly if the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Depot at Aba was selling the product.
He said petroleum marketers in the State were presently sourcing the product from Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar.
Meanwhile NNPC Mega Station in Owerri is still selling the product at the government’s approved price.
BY CHINAZO ILECHUKWU