By Chidiebere Iwuoha
Owerri
Despite the recent reduction in fuel pump price from N97.00 to N87.00 by the federal government, fuel consumers in Imo state are not purchasing fuel at that reduced price and this has eventually led to the closure of filling stations in the state, thereby making consumers to resort to black market purchase.
Our correspondent, who visited some filling stations yesterday, learnt that oil marketers gave them a “no-open” order because according to them, those at the petroleum depot refused to reduce their own prices as directed by the federal governmennt.
They felt that it would be unfair for them to be selling theirs at the approved pump price of N87.00 per litre whereas those at the depot sell at N93.00 and above.
The above order has brought untold hardship to Imo residents as transport fares had been hiked by commercial vehicle drivers in response to fuel scarcity. Places which cost N100.00 a trip before now, cost between N150.00 and N200.00, while those that cost N50.00 now cost N70.00 since the fuel scarcity.