Kerosene Scarcity Bites Harder In S’South, S’East

Households in Rivers State and most parts of the South-South and South-East states of the country have resorted to the use of firewood and charcoal for domestic cooking as kerosene scarcity bites harder in the geo-political zones.

Investigation reveals that the lingering scarcity of the product has also increased its price across the zones.

A market survey carried out by The Tide in Port Harcourt reveals that 20 litres of kerosene which used to sell for N2,400 is now N4,300, while a bottle of kerosene which used to sell for N100 to N150 now sells for N300.

The Tide also learnt that the situation has created the opportunity for the influx of adulterated kerosene into the market.

The Tide also discovered that a number of filling stations across the city had no kerosene in their stock, while at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mega Filling Station, Lagos Busstop, buyers had to purchase the product through a third party.

However, efforts to reach the manager of the station proved abortive as he was said to be out of office, but another officer of the station, however directed the reporter to the Public Relation Officer of the Pipeline Product Marketing Company of Nigeria (PPMC) whom he said was the only one competent to speak on the matter.

A number of households who also spoke to our correspondent, however grumbled over the situation, noting that it had worsened their plight.

For Madam Eno Adah, a resident of Diobu, Port Harcourt, adulterated kerosene was more attractive than the real product which she said was out of stock.

She noted that the urgent intervention of the government would save the situation.

When contacted, a senior official of the Rivers State Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources who spoke under condition of anonymity, however, assured that something would be done about the situation.

In Auchi, Edo State, most residents  now make use of charcoal and firewood for cooking as scarcity of kerosene has persisted across the state.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that most filling stations in Auchi and its environs had long run out of kerosene with a few still managing to sell the product at N160 per litre.

The situation, The Tide investigation revealed, had led to many thriving black market spots in Auchi and adjoining communities.

Black market operators, who are found mainly around major street junctions in Auchi, sell a litre of kerosene for between N200 and N250.

Some residents, who spoke to newsmen, described the scarcity as shameful.

One of the residents, Mrs Edith Elajah, said: “Is it not shameful that what we produce in this country we can’t find it to buy?

“It is even more shameful that it has become easier to get food than to get kerosene to cook it.’’

Elajah said the scarcity of the product and its attendant high cost had forced her into using firewood and charcoal for her cooking.

“ I have made a makeshift kitchen in my compound where I use firewood for cooking as I can no longer afford high cost of kerosene,’’ she said.

Another woman, Mrs Munirat Audu, told newsmen that even firewood and charcoal had become expensive because of the demand for them.

Audu, who said a bottle of kerosene was now being sold for N200 in her area, noted that the development had brought hardship to many poor homes.

At the only filling station on Igbe Road where kerosene was being sold in Auchi last Saturday, an official who does not want to be mentioned, told newsmen that the price of the product was determined by the cost of importation.

“We do not just increase price arbitrarily, but because we spend so much in getting the product into the country, we have to sell at a price that will ensure recovery of our investment,’’ he said

With the scarcity of kerosene in Asaba and its environs, firewood, which was seen as a cheaper alternative, has also become expensive.

Our correspondent recalls that there had been reports of high price of the product across the country due to its unavailability.

In the Delta State capital, a litre of kerosene currently sells at N150 in filling stations while the price is between N200 and N500 in the various black market spots in the city.

But firewood which many residents had resorted to has also witnessed a steady rise in price.

The Tide investigation revealed that a small bundle of eight pieces of firewood, which was sold at N350 towards the end of 2010, currently sells at between N500 and N600.

The same quantity of firewood, it was gathered, was sold at between N250 and N300 in 2010 and at between N150 and N200 in 2009.

A firewood seller in Asaba, Mrs Nedi Onodu, attributed the increasing price of firewood to the current high demand for it by residents.

Besides, she explained that the increasing demand for firewood by users had put pressure on the sellers, leading to upsurge in demand from suppliers.

She said the bulk of the firewood being sold in Asaba came from neighbouring Onitsha in Anambra State, adding that dealers were rationing their stock to meet  the increasing demand.

“Even with the reduced quantity that we now get from Onitsha due to the rationing, our suppliers have increased the price of firewood as demand for it increases,’’ Onodu said.

She, however, said that the rush for firewood had reduced, adding, however, that the business was still booming.

Some firewood users in Asaba told newsmen that they resorted to it due to the scarcity and high price of kerosene.

“ Now that the price of firewood has also started going up, we have started going to the bush and building construction sites to look for it,” Mrs Fumnanya Ijeuwa, a civil servant, said.

Two women, who were spotted buying firewood at Issele-Uku, headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area, said the purchase might be their last as they would resort to charcoal.

Mrs Agnes Iwu and the other buyer, who only identified herself as Juliana, said they had discovered that charcoal was cheaper.

Apart from Asaba and Issele-Uku, the high price of firewood was also noticeable in Agbor, Ogwashi-Uku, Akwukwu-Igbo and other communities in the area.

In parts of Enugu State, the cost of obtaining kerosene for domestic cooking needs is fast getting out of reach of the common man.

A check in Enugu last Saturday revealed that the cost per litre of kerosene has increased by between 200 per cent and 250 per cent against the approved pump price of N50 per litre.

PIX 1; L-R : Resident Electoral Commissioner for Cross River State, Mr Mike Igini, Returning Officer, Prof. Hilary Edoga and Supervisory Officer, Aniedi Ikoiwak, announcing the results of Imo supplementary governorship election in Owerri , last Saturday

L-R : Resident Electoral Commissioner for Cross River State, Mr Mike Igini, Returning Officer, Prof. Hilary Edoga and Supervisory Officer, Aniedi Ikoiwak, announcing the results of Imo supplementary governorship election in Owerri , last Saturday