Fuel Price Hike: ‘We’re Tired, It’s No Longer Profitable! Taxi Drivers in Ogun Cry Out in Frustration
Raymond Osho
Abeokuta– The recent fuel price increase in the country has left taxi drivers in Ogun state in frustration, with many saying they are tired of the business as it is no longer profitable.
The price of fuel has risen to N730 per liter in some private filling stations that opened for business in Abeokuta, against the initial price of ₦630. Some of them have run out of stock.
Fackt News observed that, despite the high fuel cost, NNPC stations in the capital city are selling fuel for ₦530, causing long queues.
However, many taxi drivers are unable to benefit from this as they are unable to access the stations due to the long queues.
Sadly, those who are able to access the NNPC fuel complained that most of the stations have adjusted their fuel pumps, causing them to experience shortages.
A taxi driver who lamented bitterly said “Imagine, NNPC which is supposed to be our only hope have adjusted their pumps. Imagine buying N5,000 fuel and it won’t last. At first, I thought it was my vehicle that was fuel consuming.
The fuel price hike has left many taxi drivers in the State feeling hopeless and helpless, with many calling for the government to intervene and find a solution to the crisis.
A “I’m tired of this business, it’s no longer profitable,” said Taiwo, a taxi driver. l spend more on fuel than I make in a day. How am I supposed to feed my family?”said Taiwo, a taxi driver.
“I’ve been driving for over 10 years, but it’s never been this bad,” said another driver, Kunle Oloyede.
He added “The fuel price keeps increasing, and we’re the ones suffering. We can’t even afford to maintain our vehicles anymore.”
“I’ve had to increase my fare, but passengers are not happy about it,” said Wasiu, a taxi driver, adding, “They don’t understand that we’re struggling to survive. I’m tired of this business, it’s no longer worth it.”
IPMAN’s REACTION
Speaking in a recent interview with PUNCH, the National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, said many filling stations did not open for business because they had no fuel in their tanks.
He said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, which is the sole importer of petrol at the moment, should explain to Nigerians what was happening with the product.
“Those that shut their stations do not have fuel to sell. When you don’t have fuel, you cannot open your station. That is the problem. You know the NNPC is the sole importer of this product. I think it is in the best position to tell us what is actually going on.
“Currently, independent marketers cannot buy what the private depots are selling. They are selling fuel between N715 and N720 per litre. How much will marketers sell the product? Look at the cost of bringing it to their depots; with transportation and other depot expenses, it will be too costly for them. That is why the stations are shut down. Some marketers refuse to go and buy because they know the masses cannot afford high-priced petrol in this economy. That is the situation for now,” the IPMAN leader stated.
