Daily Independent Online.
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Tuesday, June 22, 2004.
Petrol is N60 per litre in Anambra
By Okey Maduforo
Correspondent, Awka
Prices of petroleum products in Anambra State have
continued to skyrocket despite the recent directive by the Federal Government
that prices of fuel be maintained at the pre-fuel tax level.
In Awka, the state capital, a litre of petrol is sold
for N50 in some areas while other stations sell for N60 per litre, a
development that appears to have been accepted by motorists in the area. At the
Onitsha commercial city, a litre of petrol is sold for N65 per litre while
kerosene is said to be short in supply.
Before the recent increase in the price of fuel, a
litre was sold at between N45 and N48 as against what it was sold for in other
states of the federation.
But the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in
Anambra State, Mr Charles Onyeagba, told newsmen that they have put in place
plans to ensure that the marketers and fuel stations comply with the official
pump price of petroleum products.
“We know that in Anambra State there has been
that problem of compliance with the laid down agreement, but we assure Anambra
people that the dealers would comply with the directive,” he said.
But a motorist and Awka-based businessman, Mr Ifeanyi
Nwankwo, told Daily Independent that the problem is not with the marketers but with the
Federal Government, adding that it is the prerogative of government to
determine the cost of petroleum products in the country.
Nwankwo argued that with three refineries in the
country, Nigeria has no reason not to make the price of petrol affordable to
motorists and urged government to carry out the repair of the nation’s
refineries.
