Abia Residents Lament Soaring Fuel Price, Transport Costs

Residents of Abia State have cried out over the high cost of transportation following the astronomical rise in fuel prices.

As of Tuesday, the price of petrol in Umuahia metropolis fluctuated between N1,280 and N1,300 per litre in the morning, N1,400 in the afternoon, and N1,500 in the evening.

As a result, many commuters have resorted to trekking short distances due to the increase in transport fares.

A trip from Umuahia town to the Onuimo boundary, which cost N500 as of Sunday, now costs N700. Transport fare from Umuahia to Umudike, home to the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, formerly N400, now costs N700, while a trip from Express Tower to Umuahia town has risen from N200 to N300.

A tricycle rider, Ginika Chinedu, lamented the situation.

“When is this going to stop? We no longer have passengers, and even when we do, they insist on the old transport fares or decide to walk,” he said.

He added that it was unfortunate that such a situation was occurring in a country that produces crude oil.

Another driver, Eze Azunna, said the fuel price hike was coming at a time when many residents were beginning to celebrate a reduction in the prices of food items.

“This fuel price hike is coming at a time when we are rejoicing that the cost of food items has reduced. If nothing is done to reverse this trend, the situation may affect President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections,” he said.

A vegetable seller, Madam Serah Ugorji, lamented that the increase in transport fares since Monday had affected her business.

According to her, traders can no longer afford the high cost of travelling to villages to purchase goods.

Another transporter, Uma David, however, said petrol was cheaper in some hinterland communities where it sold for about N1,280 per litre, compared to as high as N1,500 in urban areas.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the relevant authorities to act quickly to prevent possible negative consequences.

The situation is not different in Aba and Ohafia, where passenger movement has also dropped drastically.

In Aba, petrol reportedly sells for between N1,300 and N1,500 per litre. A source said that due to the commercial nature of the city, people still move around for business activities.

“People will still move because of their businesses, but they will transfer the extra cost to buyers of their commodities,” the source said.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the state government on the situation.