Fuel Prices Soar in Makurdi as Fuel Vendors Launch Three-Day Protest, Selling Petrol at ₦1,700
In the heart of Benue State, Makurdi is experiencing a sudden surge in petrol prices, with a litre now selling for ₦1,700. This dramatic increase is primarily due to a decision by petrol marketers to shut down filling stations in support of a three-day warning strike.
The strike, initiated by motorists and commercial motorcyclists, is in solidarity with the Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). The marketers are protesting against rising operational costs and the recent increase in pump prices, influenced by global oil price hikes and pricing decisions by entities such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and petrol importers including the Dangote Refinery partners.
Specifically, the NNPCL increased the pump price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), reflecting changes from global oil price increments and importer price adjustments. Marketers, feeling the pinch, have reacted by shutting stations, leading to localized price spikes in Makurdi.
The three-day warning strike aims to pressure the government or relevant authorities to address issues related to fuel pricing and the challenges marketers face, including the burden of high operational costs post-price hikes. This strike has caused reduced fuel availability and consequent price surges in affected areas like Makurdi.
Desperate residents are turning to black market operators to purchase petrol, with prices ranging between N1,600 and N1,700. The leadership of NUPENG and IPMAN approached the government, but were reportedly rebuffed. The decision to close stations was unanimous among members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
The Benue State Chairman of NUPENG, Terfa Iorhule, claimed he was unaware of the ongoing strike. However, it is important to note that Mr. Iorhule is currently in Lagos. The previous government reportedly failed to compensate the truck owners and the company for the loss of petrol due to an attack on a petrol-laden truck years ago along the Makurdi-Aliade road.
The strike is ongoing, with further actions to be determined after its conclusion. The price of petrol in Makurdi remains at ₦1,700 per litre, causing widespread discontent among residents and motorists in the state. The capital city of Benue State, Makurdi, is currently grappling with this unexpected fuel crisis.
- The sudden rise in petrol prices in Makurdi, Benue State, has reached ₦1,700 per liter, attributed to a three-day warning strike by petrol marketers.
- The strike, led by motorists, commercial motorcyclists, and the Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), is expressing dissatisfaction over rising operational costs and increased pump prices.
- The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and petrol importers, including Dangote Refinery partners, have been influencing the price hikes due to global oil price spikes and their own pricing decisions.
- The closure of stations by marketers has led to localized price spikes in Makurdi and reduced fuel availability, pushing desperate residents towards black market operators who charge between N1,600 and N1,700.
- The government has been approached by the leadership of NUPENG and IPMAN regarding the fuel pricing issues and challenges faced by marketers, but reports suggest they were rebuffed.
- The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) members have unanimously agreed to close their stations in response to these challenges, with the Benue State Chairman of NUPENG, Terfa Iorhule, currently in Lagos and reportedly unaware of the situation.
- The ongoing strike in Makurdi, accompanied by escalating fuel prices, has instigated widespread discontent among locals and motorists, transforming the capital city of Benue State into a battlefield for resolving this unexpected fuel crisis.
