The current fuel scarcity plaguing Zamfara State has resulted in severe economic difficulties, especially impacting the availability of food and essential goods within the state.
Residents are now forced to walk long distances from their homes due to the unavailability of fuel and financial constraints.
An in-depth investigation conducted by NewsNow uncovered that motorcycle taxi operators, tricycle riders, and commercial drivers have raised their fares by a significant 100%.
Reports indicate that a quarter gallon of fuel is being sold for N2,100 at certain gas stations in Gusau, the state capital. Consequently, food prices have surged due to the increased cost of petroleum products, causing distress among traders and consumers.
For example, in Gusau, the price of a plate of local rice, originally N1550, has skyrocketed to N3,900 as a result of the fuel price hike.
Similarly, buyers at Tudunwada market are unable to afford meat even at N400, with meat sellers attributing the high prices to the rising transportation costs.
One meat seller, Amodu Mustapha, shared, “The meat that used to cost us N30,000 is now being sold at N65,000 due to the escalated fuel prices.”
During a visit to Gusau Central market, traders expressed their concerns about dwindling sales and low customer turnout due to the financial struggles faced by buyers.