Cost of living: Traders in Warri, Effurun lament on high cost of food and increase of transport fares as fuel subsidy removal bites harder

As the cost of food items and transport fares continue to increase daily, some traders in Warri and it environs of Delta State have attributed the ripple effect of the government’s decision on fuel subsidy removal. 

PEBNEWS correspondent who monitored the situation across the markets in Warri Wednesday, found that food prices and transport fares for intracities, intercities and to the rural communities have increased.

Motorists are scares in fueling stations to get petroleum products months after President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy.

In his inaugural address at Eagle Square, Abuja, Mr. Tinubu declared thus:

"We commend the decision of the outgoing administration in phasing out the petrol subsidy regime which has increasingly favoured the rich more than the poor. Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources. 

"We shall, instead, re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions," he said.

Meanwhile, our correspondent in many markets of Warri found that food prices and transport fares recorded an average of 100 percent increase across the city and nearby communities, raising worries among millions of poor Nigerians.

The fuel pump price of petrol selling is as high as N700 per litre in Warri, the oil hub of Delta State.

A tricycle driver, identified as Chima, plies the Warri Sapele road to Effurun route told PEBNEWS  that he now buys fuel of at least N8,000 daily.

"I bought fuel of N8,000 today. I have made N10,000 after giving Agbero money. I will still balance the owner of the Keke with N6,000. Now,I'm just left with N4000.

Many traders who run their businesses at Igbudu market shared similar stories of hardship and poor sales.

They lamented that the cost of transportation and logistics has led to an upward review of prices for her goods, triggering poor sales.

A trader laments that, "garri that was N800 per basket; it's now N2300, super pack of Indomie; N14,000, basket of beans; N4300, basket of rice; N6300 amongst others, and it's really affecting. People are not buying goods like before.

However, the amounts of transportation from Warri to some different Ijaw communities revealed by a marine transporter, identified simply as Yinlayefa, while on a dialogue with our correspondent include; Ayakoromo; N3,000, Ogulagha; N6,000, Obotobo 1; N6,000, Odimodi; N5,500, Burutu; N4,000. Stressed that, the hardship is also telling on them as passengers is nowhere to carry.