September 06, (THEWILL) – In Benue, residents have cut off extra spending in the wake of the rise in food items occasioned by sudden high price of fuel in the state.
Civil servants, families and other professionals resulted to trek distances to work so as to cut down expenses. A Makurdi-based local publisher of Local Tabloid, Comrade Akpen, said he decided to layoff some staff at the moment in order to save money to sustain production.
A civil servant, who gave his name as Jasper, told our Correspondent that he has parked his car for the past two months so as to cope with the current reality of life.
The General Manager of Abudy Water Factory Makurdi, Dr Joe Ankpan, decried the high cost of running the generator to ensure production and have to produce twice a week to beat down the cost.
“Even with the introduction of 100 Benue Links buses in the state, transportation fares remain high. Rise in prices of goods and services are as a result of increase in the fuel pump price.”
Commissioner for Transport, Energy and Power, Mr Omale Omale, could not be reached over Government’s plans to amemoliate the suffering of residents. A staff of the Ministry, who does not want his name in print, said a company in Nasarawa state has been approached to reflect it present in the state to bring down prices.
An Economist, Dr Emmanuel Iyah, who spoke on the high cost of living in the country and Benue State in particular, noted that the way out of the current dilemma is for both the government and people to look inward for survival.
