The last few weeks in Calabar, the Cross River capital, have been particularly challenging due to the scarcity and hike in price of petroleum products in the city.
The new development has affected the price of commodities and transportation fare as short trips between that used to cost N50 are now N100 and all the other trips that used to be N100 are now N150.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday, a taxi driver, Usen Edet, at the popular stadium junction, said they had to increase the prices of their fares because getting fuel now is a herculean task.
Mr Edet said although passengers are complaining, they would go back on their decision except there is a change in the price and availability of petrol.
“Today, most of the fuel stations are closed but the black marketers get fuel and sell at a very high price, what do you expect us to do?”
“People still need to move about and we also need to make something for ourselves and families,” he said.
Some parts of the city and discovered the increased presence of petrol black marketers.
These black marketers who pose at different junctions in the city and especially in front of closed fuel stations with kegs of petrol compete by running towards anyone they suspect is a potential customer, to sell their product.
One of the black marketers who seemed to be doing better than his compatriots told NAN that he was rendering a service to the society as the product was scarce.
He refused to disclose how he gets the product but said he sells a litre for between N300 and N350 depending on the haggling power of the customer.
He said in pidgin/halting English “I no dey mix anything for my fuel because I get conscience and I don’t drive taxi before, I no say bad fuel fit spoil person motor.”
In one of the few stations opened and dispensing the product, the attendant sold at N250 per litre, adding that they had to sell the product as they bought.
He said they are one of the few stations that are open and are selling the product to customers and should be commended, even though, some of the buyers thought otherwise.
NAN
