The current scarcity of petrol within the Benin metropolis had been having adverse effects on commercial activities as black marketers sold 200 per cent above the pump price of the commodity.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who went round the city, reports that the few independent marketers who had the product were selling at N200 per litre.
NAN reports that the product, however, sold for N300 per litre at the black market.
NAN reports that the black marketers displayed the product in jerry cans along major roads like Dawnson Junction by Akpakpava and Mission Road, Benin City.
While the NNPC and many major marketers lacked the product, the few stations dispensing the product, sell at N180 and N200 per litre.
NAN reports that most car owners had abandoned their vehicles and patronised commercial buses, while many commuters trekked long distance because of the 50 per cent hike in transport fares.
Commercial inter-city buses now charge between N120 and N150 compared to the normal fares of N50 and N70 charged before now.
NAN also reports that the transport fare from Benin to Auchi costs N1,200, up from the old N600.
It also went up to N600 from Benin to Sapele from the old N200.
A resident, Mr Samuel Ajayi, who described the situation as pathetic, noted that should things continue like this, “there will be no vehicle on Benin road by Monday.’’.
“How can we continue this suffering in the midst of plenty that is available for only the few who steal and enrich themselves and their families yet unborn.
“I stayed on queue endlessly at a particular filling station on Wednesday without being able to buy fuel which was being sold for N150 per litre.
“Now, I have decided to park my car, ‘’ Ajayi said
Leave a Reply