BY OLUWATOSIN IGHOTEGUONO
The recent increase in price of petrol by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL has generated mixed reactions among residents of Akure, Ondo state capital.
The respondents said the increase in petrol price came as a surprise to them as they were still agitating for a reduction in the price of the commodity.
Before the development, petrol was sold in Akure, Ondo state capital between ₦580 and ₦950 but has now skyrocketted to between N950 and ₦1, 400.
Some residents, Mrs. Funmi Ajayi and Pastor Goodluck Akomoh said the latest hike in fuel price would further plunge the masses into penury.
A Housewife, Mrs. Adenike Olabanji while lamenting the ripple effects of the high cost of fuel on food prices berated some oil marketers for selling way above the government approved price urging them to be considerate.
Other residents who spoke with Radio Nigeria, Bukola Akindele, Mr. Gbenga Oluwalogbon and Fola Awodugba acknowledged the need for price adjustment in view of the current economic realities but urged the government to implement policies that would ease the burden on Nigerians
They also stressed the need for the federal government to ensure that the nation’s refineries became functional to reduce fuel importation