Anambra State is currently facing an exacerbating scarcity of petrol, leading to an increase in fuel prices on Tuesday. This is due to the removal of fuel subsidy announced by President Bola Tinubu on Monday during his inaugural speech. The President stated that the fuel subsidy was unrealistic, and thus the money used for such purposes can now finance other areas.
On Tuesday, only a few petrol stations were open for business in Awka, while the majority remained closed. Several motorists lined up in the few petrol stations that opened for business in the state. It is, however, uncertain if the closure of most fuel stations was due to the sit-at-home exercise slated for Tuesday to commemorate Biafra Day or the unavailability of petroleum products.
During our correspondent’s visit to some fuel stations, it was discovered that there was an irregular pricing of the product. While some stations sold at N400 per litre, many others had pegged the price of petrol at N500. An anonymous source further revealed that fuel was being sold for N700 per litre in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area.
This news of the scarcity of fuel and the subsequent increase in its prices comes as a major blow to Nigerians who are already grappling with the effects of a struggling economy. It is hoped that the government would take proactive measures to ensure that this issue is adequately addressed to ease the suffering of the masses.
