There was widespread anger across parts of Benue State on Saturday as most filling stations hiked the price of petrol to between N980 and N1,100 per litre.
Previously, petrol was being sold at rates ranging from N850 to N950 per litre at filling stations operated by independent marketers, while black market sellers charged N1,000 per litre.
The NNPC Mega Station, which rarely has fuel available for the public, continued to sell at the official rate of N617 per litre whenever supplies were available.
However, most other filling stations in Makurdi and major towns across the state sold the product to frustrated motorists and motorbike riders at the sharply increased rates of N980 to N1,100 per litre.
Christopher, a disheartened commercial motorcycle operator, expressed his frustration with the continuous rise in fuel prices, saying it was making life increasingly difficult for him and his family.
He recounted how, just the day before, he had purchased petrol for N850 per litre at a local filling station. When he returned less than 24 hours later to fill up for his daily business, he was shocked to find the price had jumped to N980 per litre.
He said, “we did not see this coming. This government wants to impoverish Nigerians the more. What is our sin. Did we wrong them by voting them?
“How can any reasonable government subject Nigerians to this unimaginably level of suffering. Every money we make goes to purchase of fuel. This is not fair to poor Nigerians. This government is not listening to the cry of poor Nigerians.
“Everything that makes life worth living is being priced out of the reach of the masses. We cannot feed our families, our children are dropping out of school and people do not go to hospital again if they fall sick because they cannot afford treatment. Is this what they promised us during the elections?
“With this how can anyone claim that the rising food proces will come down. This government has failed the masses and we will not forget this traumatising experience they are making us go through in a hurry.”
Also, a commcial bus driver, Comrade Odeka who was heard expressing frustration and anger over the continously increase in the pump price of petrol since the coming of the present administration said, “we are tired of this government, they are bereft of ideas and do not know how to go about the governance of the country.
“Why is this government punishing Nigerians? They are insensitive to the pains Nigerians are facing. We bought fuel few days ago for as high as N850 per litre, today I am buying it for N980, and if you go outside the state capital fuel is being sold for as high as N1,100 and black marketers are selling for N1,200 per litre. And politicians want us to believe that this government means well for Nigerians.
“This is not what they promised us during the election and it is sad that we are being subjected to this level of unimaginable poverty. This government is not fair to Nigerians.”