Transport fares, price of food items soar by 100% in Akwa-ibom, as fuel scarcity bites harder

From Lovina Anthony, Akwa-ibom

There is astronomical increase in the cost of transportation and food stuffs in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, following the fuel scarcity in the state.

Investigation revealed that the fuel scarcity has heightened the sufferings and economic hardship that the residents of Akwa-ibom are currently facing.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that filling stations in Uyo metropolis apart from NNPC mega stations and Trans Sossa, have shut down operations in compliance with the directives of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) for fear of being fined N300,000.

A litre of fuel at the black market goes at the rate of N1,500 which has made minibus and tricycle drivers to charge N200 for a drop in a short distance that was normally N100 two days ago.

The increase in local transportation has immediately skyrocketed the prices of food stuffs in the market.

IPMAN in a statement signed by the Chairman and the Secretary on said the decision to suspend operations was taken after a stakeholders meeting due to series of “infractions into our businesses caused by the activities of Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association (NOGASA) where members’ products were impounded on the road and extorted.”

According to the secretary, Ekom Udeme Udoh, “five of our tankers with petroleum products worth millions of naira have been impounded by NOGASA and all efforts to secure the release of the trucks have failed”

He alleged that in addition to impounding their trucks containing petroleum products which he said could go up in flames due to poor handling, he claimed that its members were being subjected to extortion.

He said though the matter had been reported to security agencies, and nothing has been done to release the trucks impounded by NOGASA, adding that they didn’t understand why NOGASA should be operating in AKwa Ibom State.

Sam Osung, chairman of NOGASA denied extorting money from IPMAN and impounding their trucks, adding that all tankers do not belong to IPMAN as other major marketers do own trucks as well.

However, the governor, Pastor Umo Eno in a press release through his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh has assured that the fuel scarcity will end very soon.

The release said the governor is currently meeting with the different groups with the view of settling their differences and restoring normalcy in the system.

“In response to the fuel scarcity which began this morning arising from a misunderstanding between the product marketers and some security agencies, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno is currently meeting with different groups within the petroleum marketing sector with a view to finding solutions to the immediate and remote causes of this problem.

“The public is assured that normalcy will return as soon as possible.” The Release read.