Some residents of Onitsha in Anambra State have expressed worry over the lingering high prices of kerosene and diesel which they said had made the running of homes and businesses difficult.
A survey by a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha on Thursday showed that the price of a litre of diesel was between ₦145 and ₦160, depending on the station.
Also, a litre of kerosene was being sold for between ₦130 and ₦150, depending on the location of the fuel station while a litre at the black market cost between ₦170 and ₦180.
NAN reports that the high price of diesel had led to a slight increase in the prices of manufactured goods and agricultural products.
Emma Uzochi, a wholesale trader in Ose market, said that the development had lowered sales.
“Most of my customers have cut the quantity of goods they buy since many have not come to terms with the prevailing realities,” he said.
Jude Nwiwu, a civil servant, said that it was now difficult for him to feed his family and meet other demands like payment of school fees and medicare.
“I have doubled my wife’s feeding money to meet our feeding needs and also to avoid unnecessary embarrassment at home,” Mr Nwiwu said.
Uche Obinze, a student of Tansi University, Oba, said that most students now patronised food vendors.
“For one to set out to prepare a meal, you must spend ₦160 for a litre of kerosene before thinking of other things for the meal,” he said.
Donatus Eke, an artisan, said that he had stopped cooking for a long time since the food vendors were handy and cost effective.
“Necessity calls for my increased patronage of food vendors,” he said.
Justus Akaneme, another resident, called on the federal government, through the ministry of Petroleum, to sell kerosene directly to residents through mobile trucks.
“Our greatest undoing is the middlemen who continue to influence the fuel stations that have the product,” Mr Akaneme said.
NAN
