Kerosene Scarcity: Households Resort To Firewood

As kerosene scarcity bites harder, more Rivers households are now relying on firewood as their source of energy.
Our correspondents report that a bottle of kerosene is now selling between N700 and N800 in some markets especially in Port Harcourt City and environs.
A recent market survey conducted by our correspondents on the prices of the product in some markets in Port Harcourt shows that a bottle of kerosene which used to sell N150 and N200 now sells at N700 to N800.
A visit to the Eleme junction market shows the product selling at N700 while at the small market at Igbo Etche, the product is selling at N800.
Investigation also revealed that in some rural communities,  especially in the riverine areas the product is non existent.
Similarly,  prices of firewoods have also gone up, at Igbo Etche,  a trader told The Tide that a bundle of firewood which before at N100 now sells between N300 to N400.
According to Mrs. OgechiIzuba, “even firewood self is scarce”, adding that they now go to bush markets to get them.
The Tide also learnt that some food vendors have also increased the prices of their food.
A food vendor who simply gave her name as Mrs. Blessing told our correspondent that the situation was affecting her business negatively.
In her words, “ I have increased the price of my food because of the increase in kerosene and firewood prices.
“I barely make enough from sales and this increment is really not helping”.
She also said she resorted to the use of firewood because of the increase in price of kerosene.
“ I started using firewood because I could not cope up. It is raining season now.
Speaking with our correspondent at Eneka, Miss Caroline Mbata regretted that kerosene which used to be at the doorsteps of every household was now a scarce commodity.
She said the price of the product was driving the women to revert to the old method of using fire wood as a source of energy and stressed the need for the government to do something about it.
Also, a petty trader, Obinna Johnson said the situation was biting is bitting harder on many households.
He regretted that kerosene which was the commonest product for the common man was now a scarce commodity.
Obinna also urged the government to do something about it.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Reginagilead Foundation for the elderly, Mrs. Ebiware .N. Helen has called on households not to increase their reliance on firewood for cooking.
Helen, who spoke on the situation in an interview with The Tide said cutting down trees for firewood has a big negative impact on the environment.
She said the situation contributed to climate change, stressing that instead of using firewood, they can use coal.
Helen said firewood smoke caused blindness, “we do not need kerosene and firewood. Coal does not generate smoke.
“ Coal is very cheap to get, it does not cost much so i am appealing to our women to look for coal instead of kerosene and firewood” she said.

By: John Bibor, Oribimlbama & Precious Boms