Inter and intra-state transport companies in Abia state on Tuesday, February 20, increased the cost of transportation by 50% following the decision of petrol station owners to readjust the pump price of their petroleum products.
MAGIC FM observed that fuel station owners started adjusting their pump prices at the weekend following rumours of the planned strike of members of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Workers (NARTO), from ₦680-₦700 between Saturday and Sunday.
On Monday, which was a sit-at-home day in Abia, a few outlets that opened sold between ₦800-₦850.
Our correspondent who visited several petrol outlets on Tuesday reports that the Total filling station at the Brass junction by Faulks road was dispensing at ₦665 per litre with a long queue.
It was gathered that other major marketers were dispensing to their customers at ₦850 per litre, while others were selling between ₦900-₦1000 per litre.
MAGIC FM reports that the heat of the fuel pump price is hitting the state capital more than Aba, the commercial nerve of the state as a lot of residents of Umuahia had difficulty getting Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) at petrol stations in Umuahia.
While intracity transporters increased their various fares between ₦50-₦100, depending on the distance of the passengers, intercity bus companies increased their fares between ₦500-₦1000.
The increased PMS pump price has forced many private car owners to use the services of commercial transport owners which they said was to save cost.
Aba, which normally witnessed huge human and vehicular traffic on Tuesday which is the official business and work day for residents of the state witnessed less traffic on the road.
Meanwhile, passengers who spoke to our correspondent decried the effect of the fuel pump price hike on them.
They begged the government and the petroleum stakeholders to see how they could cushion the effect on the people, citing the economic crisis facing the country.