By Ikwen Atuaka
No fewer than three fuelling stations in Obudu local government area of northern Cross River State have been forcibly closed over an increase in the pump price by angry youths.
Led by the President, Benedict Agba the youths went round the fueling stations in Obudu urban Sunday morning and chased attendants away, forcing them to close early in the stations which were suspected to have fuel and were selling above the usual NGN150.
This came less than 24 hours after he had threatened that the youths will go “GAGA” in a Facebook post if nothing was done about it.
“Pls can anybody tell me why fuel dealers in Obudu will sale fuel for =N=160.00 a litre?????, else the Youths will go GAGA (sic)” Agba had posted Saturday night at about 8:00 PM.
Agba told CrossRiverWatch that everybody was feeling the pangs of the harsh economy, from the motorcyclists to fuel sellers and none were happy with the increment in the pump price.
However, one fuelling station was not closed and when asked why, Agba said the owner had pleaded with them and reversed the price after disclosing his colleagues had asked him to sell at NGN160.
As at press time, CrossRiverWatch was yet to get comments from the owners of the sealed fueling stations as they were not on site. Also, phone calls to them either did not connect or were not taken.
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One commentOn OBUDU: Youths Seal Fuelling Stations Over 10 Naira Increase In Pump Price
“However, one fuelling station was not closed and when asked why, Agba said the owner had pleaded with them and reversed the price after disclosing his colleagues had asked him to sell at NGN160.”
This is collusion! It is ILLEGAL!.
According to Investopedia, “Collusion involves people or companies that would typically compete, conspiring or working together that results in an unfair market advantage” (in this case price increase of 10 naira per litre). It is “illegal agreement between rivals that attempts to disrupt the market’s equilibrium.”
Why are the owners of these fuel stations not being prosecuted?