Petrol Price Hike Sparks Anger Among Ilorin Motorists as Filling Stations Adjust Pump Price
By Bamidele Aremu
Motorists and commuters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, have expressed growing frustration over a fresh increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, as several filling stations quietly adjusted their rates during the week.
A monitoring visit to various outlets by National Pilot on Saturday revealed that prices have risen marginally, but noticeably, at key stations across the metropolis fueling concern among residents already grappling with the rising cost of living.
At NIPCO Filling Station in the Saw-Mill area, the pump price climbed from ₦880 to ₦910 per litre. Attendants at the station confirmed the increase took effect earlier in the week.
“It’s not just about the ₦30 increase. Every time fuel goes up, our profit drops. We don’t raise fares immediately, so we run at a loss for days,” said Mubarak Isiaka, a commercial driver in the area.
At Bovas filing station in the bustling challenge market Ilorin, only a few pump attendants were seen attending to customers where petrol was selling for ₦915.
Some of the customers who spoke to National Pilot complained about the inconsistent pricing and poor service.
“You’ll queue for almost thirty minutes just to buy fuel here because it’s somehow a cheaper here. They say there’s fuel, but only one or two pumps are open. It’s frustrating.” Said Mrs. Ajoke Gloria.
The situation was similar at Orange Oil and Gas and Taiwo Sale filling station, where disgruntled customers openly expressed their dissatisfaction with the sudden price hike from ₦890 to ₦910.
“This is not sustainable,” lamented Tunde Oyeleke, a tricycle driver. “Everyday expenses are rising but nothing is changing in terms of earnings. How do you expect us to cope?” he queried
“Just last week, I bought a full tank for ₦17,000. Now it’s over ₦19,000. That’s a lot for someone who drives daily,” Rilwan added.
Some station managers declined to speak on the record, but staff at two locations blamed the changes on increasing depot prices and irregular supply from major marketers.
“We just adjust based on what we get from the depot. Sometimes prices jump overnight. It’s beyond our control,” a supervisor at Bovas said anonymously.
A few attendants also pointed out that the limited service at some outlets particularly the reduced number of operational pumps was a strategy to ration available supply due to uncertainty in delivery timelines.
At the heart of the public outrage is the cumulative effect of repeated fuel price adjustments without corresponding economic relief or improved service delivery.
Meanwhile, many residents are calling on the federal government and relevant regulatory agencies to intervene and stabilize the market before the situation escalates into full scarcity.
As fuel prices inch upward yet again, Ilorin residents brace for the ripple effects which ranges from increased transportation fares, higher food prices, and more financial strain on an already burdened population.
