Kunle Adelabu
Residents of Ikorodu have been lamenting the high cost of petrol as scarcity hit the metropolis with most of the petrol stations not having the product, while the few that have, were having a tough time selling to the large crowd and vehicles on a long queue.
Our reporter, who has been moving around the town for days, reported that a liter of petrol product is being sold for as high as N950, and that despite the high cost, the product is still not easy to come by.
The lowest rate of N620 is at Akamong petrol station, Oreyo in Igbogbo and NIPCO petrol stations which sell at N650.
Consequently, the situation has caused increase in fare and hardship for residents.
Black market is selling between N1000 and N1200 per litre.
Meanwhile, a commercial tricycle driver who spoke with THE IMPACT, lamented the effects of the scarcity and high cost of petrol on his businesses.
“There is no way we can accept the old rate for our routes, because there is no fuel to operate, and where it’s available, we are buying at high cost”, he said.
“The only petrol station that is considerate is NIPCO where we are buying at N650, and their pump is good. That is why there is always long queue there.
“Other stations sold at N950, N920, N850, and most of their pumps are not okay. They sold at high cost and at the same time shortchanging us”, he sad.
A bike operator, who was queried for charging N1500 between Igbe and Ipakodo for two passengers, asked, “Where do you want me to get the fuel? The little that we are getting is through great difficulties.
“The government has forgotten about us completely, so, we are to make do with what we have. I hope that you don’t want me to run the business at a lost, because operating a bike means buying fuel, pay touts and maintenance”, he said.
“We beg the government of Tinubu to remember us and make life easy for common men in this country”, he pleaded.
Another tricycle operator, also explained that the high cost of fuel accounted for the change of fare from N200 to N300 from Ipakodo to Igbogbo, and also warned that it may increase to N350 or N400 if the situation persists.
Many private car owners and residents have also been lamenting the high cost and scarcity of petrol which, according to them, have increased their daily cost of living and doing business.
