By Akeni Andy/Prisca Ogbo/ Ojeh Mathew
Despite nationwide protests against hunger, hike in prices of commodities, among others, petrol marketers in Asaba, Delta State and other major cities across the country have hiked their pump price.
A visit to some notable petrol stations in Asaba, yesterday, indicated that petrol was sold between N850 to N1000 per litre, against the old price of between N650 and N700 per litre before the protest.
Speaking to our correspondent, a branch manager of one of the major marketers in Asaba, who does not want his name mentioned, explained that the hike in price was due to increase at the depots, transportation and other logistics associated with the product.
He also pointed out that the nationwide protest also contributed as many of the fuel tankers that were loaded could not move due to the violent nature of the protesters.
Also, some fuel attendants, said the hike started as most stations were closed for fear of attack, making the few ones selling to take advantage of the situation to extort the public.
Although the protest in Delta ceased after day one, it continued in other states, particularly in Abuja. Lagos Rivers, and some Northern states, contributing to the ongoing instability in fuel prices, they said.
Some buyers, who spoke to The Pointer, decried the hike, appealing to the Federal Government to listen to the cry of the poor masses and reduce the pump price, just as they advised the government to fix all the refineries to enable the poor people breathe.
At the time of filing this report residents of Asaba were still buying fuel at exorbitant prices.
