Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as gasoline, sells for between N330 and N390 per liter in Onitsha, Nnewi, Awka and other parts of Anambra State.

This was the case at all the service stations visited by our correspondent across the state on Saturday, except for one service station located in Tarzan, near Onitsha (name withheld) that was selling on the N180 but with long queues of vehicles and customers. fighting for the product.

As a consequence, the cost of transportation and the prices of basic products have increased considerably in the state.

This is how travelers going to other parts of the Southeast for the New Year’s celebration had to pay up to more than 300 percent in transportation fees.

Movements in and around Anambra were also affected as trikes and shuttle buses increased their fares astronomically.

It was found that rates for transport and tricycle services within the city had risen by up to 300 per cent, as carriers now charge N300 for distances that cost N100, as commuters and commercial transport operators become involved. in arguments and heated fights.

For example, a trip from Onitsha to Awka, which used to be N500, has been increased to N1,500. Upper Iweka to the main market, Upper Iweka to Holy Trinity and others, formerly N100 went up to N300.

Our correspondent, who toured the major cities of Onitsha, Nnewi, Awka, Ekwulobia, on Saturday noted that motorists in the city expressed concern that the price of gasoline had continued to rise without anyone bailing them out.

They accused the vendors of arbitrarily raising prices due to the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

A traveler, identified as Mama Chioma, who lives in Onitsha but travels to Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, lamented that the increased transportation fare has placed an additional burden on travelers and household items.

He called on the Federal Government to intervene on the issue of gasoline prices and save the masses from unbearable hardships.

Another traveler and trader in Nnewi, Mr. James Udo, who described the situation as very pathetic, blamed the greed and opportunistic nature of the transport operators who see Christmas as a period to accumulate wealth.

In his reply, a commercial driver from Star Sunny Motors in Onitsha, Mr. Goddy Ikem, justified his actions, insisting that the transport operators were now buying PMS at a very high price, which has negatively affected their profits.

Ikem, in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, said: “It is not our problem; the price we are charging reflects the high cost of purchasing gasoline.

“This is affecting us even more, but we have to stay in business to serve our people, especially during this Christmas period.

“The large amount of gasoline we buy now is even affecting our income and our profits are down by about 50 percent, travelers should also understand our situation and know that it is not our fault.”