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PORT HARCOURT – Rivers State residents have lamented the sharp increase in transportation fares across the state due to the strike action embarked upon by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN).
The strike has also thrown the state into severe fuel scarcity, as most filling stations refused to open for business, while the few still running have sharply increased the prices of products.
Daily Independent correspondent who traveled round parts of Port Harcourt on Tuesday, observed that a litre of petrol now sells for between N2,000 and N2,500 per liter at the black market, while some filling stations were selling between N1,500 and N1,700 per liter.
The development has since forced transporters to increase fares across routes in the state, leaving most commuters stranded as they struggle travel.
A commercial bus driver revealed that he bought fuel at the rate of N2,500 a litre in the morning at a black market.
He said, “the situation has affected the cost of transportation as prices have increased in the state, some destinations they usually charge N200 before is now N300, and we’re we used to charge N400 is now N500 or 600.
“We are doing this to cover the price of fuel and still go back home with something for our families. Passengers are complaining, but there is nothing we can do,” he said.
A mini bus driver who works along Iwofe to Rumuola and Ada-George route, said the strike has negatively impacted his businesses, as he lost a business deal that was supposed to fetch him some profit.
He said, “This thing has really affected me. I was supposed to go for charter today from Port Harcourt to Onitsha, we were to move by 8am, I left home by 7am to buy fuel only to see all the filling station are shutdown. Since morning we can’t buy fuel and that journey has been cancelled.”
Also narrating his ordeal, an angry resident said, “I have spent a lot of money on transport just today alone. This strike is punishing ordinary people who are just trying to survive.”
Meanwhile, PETROAN’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Joseph Obele, while confirming the strike action to newsmen in Port Harcourt, disclosed that the stike is aimed at ensuring fairness and a healthy competition in the downstream sector.
He said, “The strike is ongoing and our members have locked up their outlets in solidarity with NUPENG. We are determined to press for fairness and healthy competition in the downstream sector.”