By Okafor Joseph Afam

In a severe blow to residents of Ogun State’s border communities, the price of fuel has surged to an alarming N2000 per litre, plunging the area into a state of economic crisis. This unprecedented spike in fuel prices is forcing many to confront new levels of hardship, as the high cost of fuel ripples through all aspects of daily life.

The affected border communities, which include areas like Idiroko, Imeko, and Owode, are no strangers to the challenges of fuel scarcity. However, the current situation marks a dramatic escalation, with prices nearly quadrupling from the national average of N617 per litre. Residents report that the combination of fuel scarcity, smuggling activities, and increased transportation costs have driven prices to unsustainable levels.

Impact on Daily Life and Businesses

The impact of this price surge is being felt acutely across these communities. Many residents rely on fuel for transportation, electricity, and the operation of small businesses. With prices now out of reach for many, the local economy is grinding to a halt. Commercial motorcyclists (popularly known as “okada” riders), who provide a vital transportation service in these areas, have seen their customer base dwindle as people can no longer afford the higher fares.

Mr. Adekunle Ojo, an okada rider in Idiroko, shared his frustration: “This fuel price is killing our business. Before, I could buy enough fuel to work the whole day, but now, I can barely afford half of what I need. Customers are complaining about the high fares, and many are choosing to walk instead.”

Small-scale business owners are equally distressed. Mrs. Funmi Adeola, who runs a small provision shop in Imeko, explained how the high cost of fuel has affected her operations: “We depend on fuel to power our generators since there’s hardly any electricity supply. But now, I can’t even afford to keep my generator running for a few hours. I’ve had to reduce my business hours, and my income has dropped significantly.”

Community Outcry and Calls for Government Intervention

As the situation worsens, residents are growing increasingly desperate. The lack of affordable fuel has forced many to resort to unsafe alternatives, such as using adulterated fuel or firewood, both of which pose health and safety risks. Others have had to make the difficult decision to shut down their businesses entirely, unable to cope with the rising costs.

Community leaders and local activists have called on the government to urgently address the crisis. They are demanding that the government take immediate steps to ensure that fuel supplies are restored to these border areas and that prices are brought back to a reasonable level.

Chief Adetunji Olowu, a traditional leader in Owode, voiced the community’s concerns: “Our people are suffering. The government must intervene now before the situation gets out of hand. We need fuel to be available and affordable; otherwise, our livelihoods are at stake.”

Government Response and the Way Forward

Despite the outcry, there has been little official response from the government so far. Efforts to reach the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other relevant authorities for comments have been unsuccessful. However, sources within the industry suggest that the government is aware of the situation and may be planning to release additional fuel supplies to alleviate the scarcity.

In the meantime, residents of Ogun State’s border communities are left to navigate an increasingly difficult situation. With no immediate relief in sight, they continue to hope for a resolution that will restore some measure of normalcy to their lives.

The fuel crisis in these border communities is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria’s energy sector. As the country grapples with fuel distribution issues, the impact on ordinary Nigerians—particularly those in remote and underserved areas—cannot be overlooked. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the government can step in to provide the relief that these communities so desperately need.