Petrol Price Soars to N1,500 in Enugu, Triggering Transport Fare Hikes and Commuter Struggles
Residents of Enugu are grappling with a severe energy crisis as the pump price of petrol has skyrocketed to as high as N1,500 per litre at various filling stations across the city. This sharp increase has led commercial transport operators to significantly raise fares on multiple routes, placing a heavy financial burden on commuters and prompting many to adopt cost-saving measures like walking longer distances.
Survey Reveals Widespread Impact on Transport and Daily Life
A recent survey conducted by Leadership Newspaper highlights the dire situation, showing that the surge in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices has forced transport operators to adjust fares upward. In some areas, the cost per bus stop has jumped from approximately N300 to around N400, while longer-distance travel now commands even higher rates. This development has compelled numerous residents to reduce their transportation expenses by trekking between one and three bus stops before boarding vehicles, affecting their commutes to workplaces, schools, and markets.
Checks in key parts of Enugu, including Holy Ghost, Gariki, Abakpa, New Haven, and Uwani, confirm that many commuters are resorting to walking to mitigate the financial strain. Commercial drivers, such as Mr. Ibekwe Uzoegbu operating along the Ugwuaji and Timber Junction axis, explain that the elevated fuel prices have drastically increased their daily operating costs, leaving them with little choice but to implement fare hikes. Some commuters have expressed frustration, alleging that certain transport operators are exploiting the fuel price situation to impose additional increases.
Petrol Price Range and Future Projections
Currently, petrol prices in Enugu range from N1,400 to N1,500 per litre, a significant rise from the previous range of N850 to N900 per litre. There are indications that this trend may continue, with projections suggesting that pump prices could climb further to between N1,800 and N2,000 per litre in the coming days, potentially exacerbating the transport crisis.
Contrasting Developments: Dangote Refinery Price Reduction
In a contrasting move, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery recently announced a reduction in its Premium Motor Spirit gantry price by N100 per litre, lowering the ex-depot rate from N1,175 to N1,075 per litre as of March 10, 2026. This adjustment also includes a decrease in the price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) to N1,430 per litre, down from N1,620 per litre. However, this refinery-level reduction has not yet translated to relief at the retail pumps in Enugu, where market dynamics continue to drive prices upward.
The ongoing energy and transport challenges in Enugu underscore broader economic pressures facing Nigerian consumers, with residents forced to adapt through increased walking and heightened financial planning. As petrol prices remain volatile, the situation calls for closer monitoring and potential interventions to alleviate the burden on commuters and transport operators alike.
