Fuel price: In Lagos, it’s back to N97 without cheers

[MrVan]

By Bose Adelaja

The recurring problem of fuel scarcity is one most Nigerians have come to accept as a bad penny or Kobo. Recently, Nigerians endured another round of fuel scarcity which almost crippled economic activities at all levels in the country, with corporate organisations and individuals on the receiving end complaining bitterly as a result.

Within the period, the PMS which was originally sold for N97 per litre was sold for between N110 and N120 per litre, a difference of about N23. It did not end there. Most agonising and annoying to end users was the fact that they had to go searching for where to source this essential commodity as many homes, shops, companies, individuals and many others need the product in most cases to support their businesses.

*A Lagos bus-stop. Commuters complain of undue hike in transport fares due to recent fuel scarcity This is beside the financial extortion or exploitation meted out to the users as many filling stations hoarded the product, thereby creating artificial scarcity. But thanks to a sensitive government which subsequently clamped down on fraudulent stations, thus forcing the greedy and shrewd business men and women who thrived on this to revert to the pump price of N97 per litre and recommenced the sale of the product at that price  with effect from last Thursday.

But while the situation lasted, it was a lot of punishment on commuters as the scarcity occurred during the Muslims celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, a period when many Nigerians travelled to their localities. So their  suffering was heightened by fares being hiked by almost 100 per cent.

In Lagos, the return of the N97 pump price has not in any way ushered in any respite for commuters as transport fares remain relatively high. This is the case at most routes. An example is the Ojota to Ikeja route which used to be N70 but is now N100. Also, Oshodi to Apapa has been jacked up from N150 to N200; Agege to Agbado-Ijaye from N100 to N150, and Oke-Odo to Oshodi from N100 to N150 and above. This is the exact situation in most parts of Lagos metropolis.

Due to this increase in fares, there are now long queues of commuters at BRT and LAGBUS terminuses, especially as the operators charge cheaper fares. A trip from Oshodi to Iyana-Ipaja costs only N70 as against N150 on Danfo buses. Also, a trip from Ikorodu to CMS costs N200 as against N350, while that of Oshodi to Yaba/Oyingbo attracts N100 as against N250, respectively.

Reacting to the development, a commuter at Obalende, Mr. Godwin Okafor, told Vanguard Metro VM, that the situation has put a lot of pressure on his pocket through increased expenses.    ''If one was told at the beginning of the crisis that it will come to an end, one will not believe it. Thank God for the 'shock absorber' God has given us to withstand all odds,'' he said.

Also at Iyana-Ipaja, another commuter, Mrs Akinwale Abiola, told VM he now spends up to N1,500 daily on transport to office and back home. ''I travel to Ijesha from Abule-Egba and usually spend about N1,300 daily on fares but this has gone up to N1,500,'' she lamented. Also, Mr and Mrs Badmus Ogene who travelled to their home town suddenly discovered at the park that they could not afford the fare to travel back to base as it has been hiked beyond their reach.

So they opted for vehicles outside the park, a situation that entailed having to break the journey into three  parts. "We travelled together about two weeks ago but returned separately due to the increase in fares. My wife returned first, followed by the children, while I joined them later,'' said Ogene.

At some motor parks in Lagos, some transport operators attributed the development to greed. ''Nigerians try to extort others at the slightest opportunity; that is why the fares will remain so. We pay so much to the park operators as well as motor parts dealers. Fare increase is the only way for us to meet our profit margin,'' said Agbelusi Oriyomi and Temitope Orishadare.

Vanguard Nigeria