Abuja Faces Hardship Amid Rising Petrol Prices

Motorists and residents in Abuja are experiencing severe hardship due to a persistent rise in petrol prices, which have increased five times within a single month. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company has set petrol prices between N1,261 and N1,383 per litre, causing transport costs to soar.

This has forced many commercial and private vehicle owners to park their cars due to unaffordable fuel costs, leaving commuters, including civil servants, stranded at bus stops. Nuhu Sani, a commercial driver, noted that rising fuel prices leave him no choice but to increase transport fares, while Grace Okek, a civil servant, expressed that the hike significantly affects her monthly budget.

Economic analyst Tund Adebayo stated that the rising fuel costs directly impact inflation and the general cost of living. Wale Johnson, an Uber driver, decided to stop driving due to unsustainable fuel costs, and Mari Uzor, a business owner, warned that increased transport costs will lead to higher food prices.

The situation underscores the urgent need for government intervention to stabilize fuel prices and improve public transport.