Scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as fuel in Onitsha, commercial hub of Anambra State has continued to bite harder on residents and traders.
It was gathered that fuel now sells for between N140 and N150 per litre where it is dispensed in filling stations while black market sells for between N180 and N200 per litre.
Daily Sun correspondent, who monitored the situation gathered that scarcity of fuel has caused hardship to the residents of the commercial, who now trek miles to markets due to non-availability of vehicles and high cost of transportation fare.
The transportation fare that was between N30 and N50 per drop for short distance was now between N50 and N100 while far distance like from Onitsha to Awka that was between N150 and N200 now costs between N300 and N400 respectively.
The transport fare from Enugu to Onitsha was between N400 and N500 now cost between N700 and 900 due to fuel scarcity.
A long queue of vehicles comprising cars, tricycles and motorcycle operators waiting to buy fuel at the filling stations has emerged causing serious gridlock along major roads in Onitsha.
Also, scarcity of fuel has caused an increase in prices of commodities and foodstuffs, while some traders capitalised on the situation to increase prices of their products in the market, some said they spent a lot of money to transport the commodities to the market and could not incur loss after the sale of the goods.
A trader in Onitsha main market Mr. Chinedu Agu lamented the scarcity, saying the masses have suffered a lot in the hands of the rich in the society.
Another respondent and civil servant, Mrs Grace Ogadimma lamented how the scarcity was biting harder on civil servants who received fixed salaries.
“It is too hard on civil servants who have no salary increase, the hike on foodstuffs and hike on transport fare affects us because we are spending more than our income in a month. We thought the Messiah has come in the person of President Buhari but the scarcity of fuel has lingered and the masses are suffering it, something should be done to reduce the suffering of ordinary Nigerians,” she appealed.
Sun
