Zamfara: Transporters, Traders, Laments Low Patronage Due To Fuel Scarcity

The fuel scarcity that is currently plaguing Zamfara State has brought about a great deal of economic hardship. The shortage of this unavoidable product has had serious effects on food and other essential commodities within the state.

The dire situation has forced residents to trek unnecessary kilometers away from their homes due to a lack of financial means.

An intensive investigation, carried out by DAILY POST, has revealed that commercial motorcycle riders (also known as Okada riders), tricycle riders commonly called Kekenapep and other commercial vehicle drivers in Nigeria have increased their fares by one hundred percent.

It has been reported that certain filling stations in Gusau, the state capital, are selling a quarter gallon of fuel for N2,100. As a result of this increase in petroleum prices, the cost of food items has also risen causing both traders and consumers to suffer agony.

In Gusau, the price of a plate of local rice has gone up from N1550 to N3900 due to an increase in fuel prices.

At Tudunwada market, buyers of meat were unable to purchase it for even N400 due to the high cost attributed by sellers to the recent hike in transportation fares.

“The meat we used to buy for N30,000 is now being sold to us for N65,000 due to the high cost of fuel,” said Amodu Mustapha, a meat seller.

When our source visited the Gusau Central market, traders were lamenting that they were losing a lot of money due to low patronage caused by buyers’ financial hardships. [CONTINUE READING HERE]