Nigerians, particularly commercial drivers have continued to groan about soaring fuel price, which has reached N1200 to N1300 per litre in some stations, WITHIN NIGERIA gathered.
This development surfaced after the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) raised its gantry rate for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol to N1,175 per litre from N995/l.
Recall that WITHIN NIGERIA had earlier reported on Sunday that Nigerians, particularly transport workers and commuters, are complaining about soaring fuel prices, which have reached N950 to N1100 per litre in Ilesa, Osogbo, Ibadan, and other areas.
As fuel prices continue to soar, WITHIN NIGERIA contacted some fuel efficiency experts and consultants who offer tips that could help commercial drivers cope with the current situation.
Sola Adeoye, a fuel efficiency expert in a telephone conversation with WITHIN NIGERIA urged commercial drivers to strategize and map out a plan that will enable them to ply the most efficient routes to reduce fuel consumption.
According to Adeoye, optimization of routes and plying shorter distances to the same location would greatly reduce fuel.
Adeoye, who claimed that traffic jams and congested areas increase fuel consumption, urged drivers to drive smart.
He further urged them to avoid aggressive driving, maintain steady speeds and use cruise control on highways to minimize fuel consumption.
Adeoye also called on the government at all levels to fix or rehabilitate potholes and roads in poor condition for easy movement of vehicles.
Solomon Obaloluwa, a consultant in an engineering firm, while conversing with WITHIN NIGERIA revealed that the best way drivers either private or commercial can save fuel or reduce fuel consumption is to maintain their vehicles.
According to Obaloluwa, most drivers, especially commercial ones, do not maintain their vehicles, tagging such behavior as nonchalant.
‘Most commercial drivers wait till their vehicles pack up or become immobile before they approach technicians to fix them. When you do not maintain or pay attention to machines, they either run badly or become faulty”, he said.
He advised drivers, particularly commercial ones, to regularly check and maintain their vehicles because it can improve efficiency and reduce consumption.
Fatai Abdulsalam, another fuel efficiency expert, told WITHIN NIGERIA that commercial drivers should not overload their vehicles.
Abdulsalam, while decrying poor load management among vehicles, disclosed that overloading puts excess pressure and forces engines to burn more fuel.
He urged commercial drivers to stop overloading their vehicles to reduce fuel consumption and increase life span of their vehicles.
He advised that they should compare fuel prices at different stations and fill up where it’s cheaper, citing different cost per litre of fuel being sold at stations.
Sola Oyedele, an economist and developmental activist, appealed to the government at all levels to introduce a scheme or temporary subsidy to cushion the effects of soaring fuel prices in the country.
He also appealed to commercial drivers to consider fuel-efficient vehicles for reduced fuel consumption.
