Fuel Price Soar To N2000 Per Litre In Ogun State Board Communities, Sparking Out Cry Among Residents.
Residents of border communities between Nigeria and Benin Republic in Ogun State are facing a sharp increase in the cost of petroleum due to supply issues. Reports indicate that petrol prices have skyrocketed to as much as N2,000 per liter in these areas.
The steep prices may be linked to the limited number of government-licensed petrol stations in the region. Only four stations—Lafems Oil, Mobil Fuelling Station, Oppresso Oil and Gas, and Somolab Fuelling Station—are authorized by the Nigerian government to sell petrol in the border communities.
Affected areas include Idiroko, Ijofin, Agosasa, Ipokia, Iwoye Ketu, Tube, Oniro, Araromi Ofo, Ilate, Ohunbo, Agada, Maahun, and Tungeji, spread across Ipokia and Imeko Afon Local Government Areas.
These licensed fueling stations are selling petrol between N1,200 and N1,300 per liter, whereas black market rates have surged to N2,000 per liter, according to a report from PUNCH. Smuggling activities are also contributing to the rising cost of petrol.
This situation stems from a 2019 directive by former President Muhammadu Buhari, which banned the supply of petroleum products to petrol stations within 20 km of Nigeria’s borders to curb fuel diversion to neighboring countries. Although some waivers were later granted for a few filling stations, the number is insufficient for the population’s needs.
Imoleayo Mawutin, Chairman of the Ipokia Local Government Youth Forum, expressed concern that four petrol stations are inadequate to serve a population of over 350,000 people. He urged the government to lift the ban and allow more filling stations to operate.
Mawutin highlighted that the local government receives a weekly supply of 180,000 liters of petrol, much of which ends up in the Benin Republic, smuggled or sold by black marketers. He also noted that residents often travel over 30 km to Owode township in another local government to purchase petrol, where they face harassment and confiscation by customs officials.
“This situation has forced many hospitals, small and medium enterprises, and farmers to halt operations. Those who remain are left with no choice but to buy petrol from black marketers at exorbitant prices ranging from N1,500 to N2,000 per liter,” Mawutin said.
