Yes. And we are all grateful.
The new prices of N97 per litre is a N32 increase (49.2%),
still high and represents a big sacrifice by the poor.
I wished the politicians were asked to also make sacrifice.
Lets take a closer look at the working poor in Lagos or Abuja.
He is a minimum wage earner (N18,000) per month. He will
now be spending about N8,500 on transportation alone.
If the govt had succeeded in imposing the N140 per litre, the same
man would be spending N12,000 per month on transportation
alone. Because of the agreement this poor worker will save
N3,500 per month on transportation.
This working poor still have to pay for his flat, buy food, cloths,
and buy medicine if he gets sick. He survives by not eating well.
The problem is not yet solved. The government need to provide
cheap public transportation for people who are barely surviving.
dan fulani
A very astute evaluation of the impact of the increase on those who are already struggling. It seems wishful thinking to expect a govt subsidized transportation plan in light of the increased in fuel. Although affordable public transportation is definitely a worthwhile initiative for the govt. A rise in fuel often causes a trickle down rise in the cost of food, clothing, and most goods in general. The poor again will be the ones to suffer the most in this regard. And depending on the kind of work they do, they may have problems collecting payment for their labour, because I am sure many unscrupulous employers will be using price increases as the reason for delayed pay checques. If they are peddlers they will be forced to sell their goods cheaper as everybody will be looking for bargains. I am not sure what workable survival strategies would be relevant to the working poor in a city like Lagos. What do you think could be a few things these ppl can do to help them stretch their meagre incomes?