The soaring prices of kerosene in Taraba State are adversely impacting the lives of its residents, particularly those in low-income households.
At the time of this report, the average cost of one liter of kerosene in most filling stations across the state stands at a range between N980.00 and N1000.
Local residents have attributed this steep increase in kerosene prices to the sudden surge in the costs of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), more commonly known as cooking gas.
In response to these challenges, citizens have urged the government to address this issue, as they had initially turned to kerosene as an alternative to cope with rising gas prices. However, with kerosene costs now on the rise as well, it has become a significant concern.
Jemima Bala, a resident, expressed her worries about this situation: “When I discovered that the price of cooking gas had gone up from N800 to N1,050, I immediately decided to go back to kerosene. But with the recent hike in kerosene, I must confess that it is very scary and discouraging. I have four children, and I am just a low-income earner. How can I cope with this present situation?”
Another resident, Hajiya Sadiya, who is a mother of six, mentioned that her only remaining option is to use charcoal for cooking. She acknowledged the increased costs of charcoal and wood due to a law banning tree felling in the state, but she believes it is still a more economical choice compared to kerosene and cooking gas.
A student at the state university also voiced concerns, emphasizing that students are among the hardest hit by the surging kerosene and cooking gas prices. She pointed out that many students are financially dependent on their parents and may not have local relatives to turn to for assistance.
She added, “The school environment is not conducive for using charcoal as an alternative. We appeal to the relevant authorities to intervene with the sellers and dealers of these products to make them more affordable for students. How can one survive in this kind of situation when proper nutrition is essential for academic concentration?”
Anderson Illiya, another resident, warned that if immediate measures are not taken to address the situation, the objective of preventing deforestation due to the Executive Order might prove to be unattainable. He suggested that the state government should either subsidize the prices of these products or provide alternative solutions to mitigate the challenges.