News
Umuahia Residents Decry Fuel Price Hike, Warn of Economic Fallout
In Umuahia, Abia State, the recent surge in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices has sparked significant concern among traders, transport operators, and artisans.
The removal of the fuel subsidy has exacerbated the situation, leading to widespread fears of severe economic repercussions.
During interviews with NAN on Thursday, several locals voiced their frustrations, highlighting how the price increase is straining their businesses and daily lives.
Many expressed that the hike would likely lead to business closures and further economic instability.
Chidubem Okoye, a local trader, reported a noticeable downturn in his business.
“The price increase has made life increasingly difficult for both traders and customers,” he said.
He noted that his supplier from the North had raised prices due to the higher cost of goods, which will force him to adjust his prices accordingly.
Anayo Udensi, a tricycle operator, is worried that the new fuel price could drive him out of business.
He explained that the cost of fuel, which has now risen to around N1,000 per litre, significantly impacts his daily earnings.
“With fuel consuming most of my daily income, there’s little left after settling the owner of the tricycle,” he lamented.
He also mentioned that reduced passenger numbers are forcing many to walk to save on transport costs.
Mrs Nkiruka Ejiofor, a hairstylist, shared that the increased cost of running her salon’s generator has made her business less profitable.
She revealed that customers are opting for cheaper services due to higher prices, impacting her earnings.
Andy, a generator repairer, described the fuel price hike as a severe blow to his business.
He noted that fewer people are using generators due to the high cost of fuel, leading to a significant drop in the number of repairs he handles.
“With the latest price increase, we’re facing even tougher times,” he said.
Civil servant Mrs Priscilla Onyemaechi added that workers are particularly hard-hit by the fuel price surge.
She pointed out that many employees are struggling to afford daily commutes due to rising transportation costs, especially since the minimum wage has not been adjusted to reflect current economic conditions.
The affected individuals are calling for an immediate reversal of the fuel price increase and urging President Bola Tinubu to implement policies to mitigate the hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to late Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs, recalling his contributions to the creative industry and his impact on Nigeria’s cultural identity.
In his tribute, Tinubu described Jacobs as a giant of the Nigerian creative industry and said “He was a giant of the Nigerian creative industry. His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global community of lovers of the performing arts. His remarkable body of work will continue to speak to generations yet unborn.
“The nation recognises the enormous contributions of Nigeria’s creative practitioners to the country’s cultural identity, global image and economic development. Olu Jacobs played a big role in creating this identity.”
Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency over the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard drugs and consumer products in Nigeria.
Adeyanju also called for the removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, as well as the heads of other regulatory agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“Nigerians are being exposed to dangerous products daily, from fake and substandard medicines to unsafe consumer goods, with reports of drugs being sold wholesale in the open under the hot sun. No responsible government should expose its citizens to such risks and expect mortality rates not to rise.”
Adeyanju also called out NAFDAC over what he described as failures in regulating the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products in the country.
It can be noted that various counterfeit products continue to circulate in Nigerian markets, while NAFDAC has also reported seizures and destruction of counterfeit, expired and substandard products.
Lagosians have lamented heavy traffic caused by ongoing construction work at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Federal Government announced that repairs on the damaged expansion joints at Kara Bridge would begin on September 8, 2026. The project, initially scheduled to begin in August, was delayed to allow further traffic management planning due to concerns over its impact on motorists.
Since work began, traffic around the Kara area has become heavy, with Lagosians sharing updates on social media about spending two hours or more on the road.
Some commuters say the delays have made their 9-to-5 routines difficult, with several hours spent travelling to and from work.
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