Kerosene Hits N130 Per Litre In Onitsha – Survey

The price of kerosene has skyrocketed to between N120 and N130 per litre in Onitsha and its environs as against official price of N50 per litre for the product.

A survey last week showed that the product was available only at filling stations owned by the independent marketers in the area.

A litre of the product was sold at between N100 and N110 in July before the current price regime, according to our source.

A litre of petrol is also being sold at between N100 and N105 as against N97 while diesel now goes for N160 per litre as against N80 per litre.

Across-section of residents who spoke to Our correspondent  expressed concern over the high cost and scarcity of the products.

Pastor Agara Jarvis, Manager, Dwell Oil filling station in Onitsha, noted that the scarcity of Kerosene had been on in the last three months, attributing the high cost of the product to supply shortage.

“Well, what I can only say is that, I think, it maybe from the marketers, it is when they have the products they then give it to us to sell.

“It is the instruction from the directors, if they say sell N20 we sell; if they say sell N50, we will sell because whatever we are selling is accounted for.

“I am sure the refineries are not working to capacity because if the refineries are working up to capacity, we are supposed to be having these products.

“At least if we have enough, we can deduct the price; and when all fuelling stations are having kerosene, it must be deducted.

“But if it happens that, like this one I have now, it is over three months now; the fact remains that I have a reserve and it is about to finish.