Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices have surged to between ₦1,350 and ₦1,450 per litre in parts of Anambra State, casting a shadow over Easter celebrations. The rise, linked to disruptions from the Middle East conflict, has made transport unaffordable for many intending travellers. Mr Chike Ogba, an Onitsha-based trader from Enugu State, said plans for his daughter's traditional marriage scheduled for Easter are now in jeopardy after two commercial drivers pulled out unless paid higher fares. He noted that rising fuel costs have also pushed up prices of food, drinks and other essentials.
Market trader Jane, who spoke in Onitsha, said garri, fish, rice, beans and groundnut oil have become significantly more expensive. Martin Okoye, another trader, blamed high interstate transport costs for the surge in prices and declining customer patronage. He said salaries have not kept pace with rising transport and food expenses, leaving households with little to spend. Many families are now struggling to afford basic meals during the festive period.
Mr Chike Ogba's cancelled wedding plans are not just a personal loss — they reflect how fuel prices are unravelling social life in the Southeast. When transport eats household budgets, events like marriages, burials and homecomings become luxuries. This isn't just an Easter crisis; it's a sign that daily living is slipping beyond reach for many. No statement from Abuja changes that reality on the ground.
