Kerosene scarcity push households to use firewood in Rivers

As Kerosene scarcity bites harder, more Rivers households are now relying on firewood as their source of energy.

Our correspondent reports that a bottle of kerosene is now selling between ₦700 and ₦800 in some markets especially in Port Harcourt city and environs.

A recent market survey conducted by our correspondents on the prices of the product in some markets in Port Harcourt shows that a bottle of kerosene which used to sell ₦150 and ₦200 now sells at ₦700 to ₦800.

A visit to the Eleme junction market shows the product selling at #700 while at the small market Igbo Etche, the product is selling at ₦800.

Investigation also revealed that in some rural communities, especially in the riverine areas the product is non existent.

Similarly, prices of firewoods have also gone up, at Igbo Etche, a trader says that a bundle of firewood which before was ₦100 now sells between ₦300 to ₦400.

According to Mrs. Ogechi Izuba, “even firewood self is scarce” adding that they now go to bush markets to get them.

The Tide also learnt that some food vendors have also increased the prices of their food.

A food vendor who simply gave her name as Mrs. Blessing told our correspondent that the situation is affecting her business negatively.

In her words, ” i have increased the price of my food because of the increase in kerosene and firewood.

“I barely make enough from sales and this increment is really not helping”.

She also said she resorted to the use of firewood because of the increase in price of kerosene.

” I started using firewood because i could not cope up. Its raining season now.

Speaking with our correspondent at Eneka, Miss Caroline Mbata regreted that kerosene which used to be at the doorsteps of every households is now a scarce commodity.

She said the prices of the product is driving the women to revent to the old method of using fire wood as a source of energy and stressed the need for the government to do something about it.

Also Obinna Johnson a petty trader said the situation is bitting harder on many households.

He regreted the situations the kerosene which was the commonest product for the common man is now a scarce commodity.

Obinna also urged the government to do something about it.

Meanwhile the Executive Director of Reginagilead Foundation for the elderly Mrs. Ebiware Helen has called on households not to increase their viliance on firewood for cooking.

Helen who spoke on the situation in an interview with The Tide said cutting down trees for firewood has a big negative impact on the environment.

She said the situation contributes to climate change, stressing that instead of using firewood, they can use coal.

Helen said firewood smoke blind the eyes “we dont need kerosene and firewood. Coal does not generate smoke.

“Coal is very cheap to get, it doesn’t cost much so i am appealing to our women to look for coal instead of kerosene and firewood” she said.