Mr Chinedu Anyaso, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN), Enugu Zone, says the price increase of petroleum products in the country is as a result of hike at the source.

Speaking on the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, Anyaso, who is in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States, said the rise in pump price was neither arbitrary nor the fault of marketers.

“The price of PMS has increased and this is because Dangote, which is our major supplier, added about N110 to every litre.

“So, the hike is not artificial, it is not arbitrary, it is a direct reflection of the reality we are facing,” he said.

Anyaso said the situation could get worse because of the ongoing war in the Middle East.

He said the war would trigger a shortage in crude production and result in higher prices.

“Prices of petroleum products will definitely go higher if the war in the Gulf continues because it will have negative impact on production and price of crude,” he said.

NAN reports that Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) now sells for between N950 and N1,000 per litre in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States.

NAN reports that the product used to sell between N840 and N850 per litre up till the last week of February.

Meanwhile, queues have started to emerge at some outlets in Awka, Anambra capital as a sign of pressure in supply.

Motorists, civil servants and traders have expressed worry over the incessant increase in the price of fuel.

NAN recalls that major fuel retailers in the country had on Tuesday adjusted its pump prices between N930 and N970 per a litre.

The hike follows a N100 upward review in the ex-depot price by Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals.

NAN rreports that in Abakaliki on Wednesday, NNPC Retail outlets, Rainoil and other stations raised their pump price from N870 per litre to N970.

The fuel increase was occasioned by the current crisis in Iran.

Mr John Okoh, a trader, who deals in food items, decried the fuel hike and called for government interventions.

“Though, the hike has not affected food items but it’s too bad the way citizens could wake up to hike price of any item, especially petroleum product, forgetting that this is the live wire of the nation’s economy,” Okoh said.

Mrs Eunice Nwankwo, a civil servant, said it was worrisome as petroleum industry have continued to cause hardship on citizens.

“I don’t think there have been any increase in transportation. In fact, there is none, because I paid the same amount I usually pay from where I am living,” Nwankwo stated.

A Pump Attendant at a filling station in Abakaliki, who prefers anonymity, said that the upward review reportedly led to a temporary halt in petrol loading operations.

Mr Peter Onu, a motorist, said the situation was shocking, stressing that only Nigerians could change Nigeria.

“This is seriously affecting us directly. Imagine, a product that you bought some days back with little cost will just push to high price within an hour. It’s painful.

“Well, we have not made any increase in transportation fares. Here, we are still managing it and praying God to intervene into the nation’s economy,” Onu said.

In Enugu State, all filling stations have adjusted their pumping machines to align with the new price regime.

Investigation by NAN in parts of the state showed that price of petrol had moved from between N780 and N820 to N950 and N980 per liter within the state capital.

NAN also reports that prices of petrol in the semi urban centers differed based on the independent marketers involved.

According to NAN investigation, a liter of petrol sells for, as high as N1000 at Obollo Afor, Orba and Enugu Ezike in Udenu and Igboeze North Local Government Areas.

Most of the transporters interviewed said they were still monitoring the situation before deciding if they would hike their fares.

A commercial driver, Mr Chinedu Odo told NAN in an interview that increase in transport fares would come with time.

“The N950 petrol price just started today; like me I just noticed it when I went to the filling station to buy petrol.

“After today’s work we will know what’s next. If the increase continues, surely we will increase transport fares, ” he said.

Another commercial tricycle operator, Mr Innocent Eze, said that many of their members were yet to start feeling the impact of the increase.

According to him, many of the operators were not even aware of the increase.

“Some of us buy fuel after work; so, by the close of work today, we will know the situation.

“I am sure that by tomorrow there will be slight adjustment in the price of transport fares,” Eze said.

Speaking to NAN, an independent marketer, Mr Emeka Ugwuagbo, cited the recent announcement by the Dangote group adjusting petrol Depot price from N774.00 to N884 per liter.

“What do you want to hear from me; didn’t you hear the announcement by Dangote, it is not our fault.

“Everybody knows what is happening in Iran, which has affected oil price globally; Nigeria is not an exception, ” he lamented. (NAN)