Enugu residents lament hike in kerosene price

Residents of Enugu in Enugu State are lamenting increment in the price of kerosene in the metropolis.
From N195, kerosene now sells for N235 per liter.
NAN correspondent who monitored sale of the product in the metropolis on Wednesday, reported that the price has increased in most filling stations from N195 to N235 per liter, although the product is available in almost all fuel stations.
According to a fuel station manager at Amaechi Road, Mr. Jude Ogbodo, who stated that all the fuel stations in the state witnessed the increase two weeks ago.
“Here in our fuel station, we sell kerosene according to how we bought it, so we did not increase the price because we feel like doing so,” he said.
Similarly, another fuel station manager on Agbani Road who spoke on condition of anonymity, also stated that the price had gone up when compared to what was sold two weeks ago, adding the original price was in between N190 and N200 per liter before the recent price.
The manager, therefore, expressed optimism that its availability would continue despite the price increase.
“Many buyers are lamenting over the increase of the product price and they are afraid that scarcity of the product may set in.
“It is a surprise to them that it is now sold at the cost of between N235 and N240 at fuel stations, while at the black market it is sold for between N290 and N300,” he said.
A resident, Mrs. Onyeka Agu, said she was not able to buy the number of liters she planned to buy.
She appealed to the government to step in and make the product affordable to citizens.
Another resident, Mr Uzochukwu Nebo called on the government to reduce the price of the product as it continues to make it available, especially for the common man.
Nebo underscored the importance of both price reduction and product availability, saying this would go a long way in reducing the cost of the product and also, the inconvenience caused to families. NAN