'Oga, I no go pay 500 naira, how much ago kon dey carry person?' - Keke rider cries out

A Nigerian man in Bayelsa State has lamented the high cost of petrol after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced during his inaugural speech that the decade-old fuel subsidy will be a thing of the past.

The man who identified himself as a Keke driver (tricycle rider) said he cannot afford to spend 500 naira per liter for fuel.

Speaking in pidgin, he said: "Oga, me I no fit pay 500 naira for that fuel, how much ago kon dey carry person? I know fit pay 500 or that 550 because the price is too much. Abeg make President Tinubu begin dey do something about am wey them dey talk. Abeg adey take God beg Tinubu. I don dey hear since yesterday to buy fuel inside my keke so ago fit dey carry passenger but I know fit."

Recall that on Monday, May 31 during his inaugural speech, President Tinubu said the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended, adding that the 2023 Budget made no provision for fuel subsidy and more so, subsidy payment is no longer justifiable.

“The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu said, noting that his government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has since backed Tinubu on the removal of fuel subsidy.

Fuel queues have since resurfaced across the country since the presidential pronouncement as Nigerians forage for the premium product.

The TUC said the President cannot unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal, saying that there was a reason the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari pushed the “sensitive issue” to the new government.