‘Business is quite tough, I buy fuel at N1,200 per litre’

Tuomo Town, an Ijaw enclave, serves as the headquarters of Tuomo Clan in present-day Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.

Sketchy details about the Ijaw town suggest that it lies along the Forcados River—popularly known by the Ijaws as Boloutoru—and comprises three quarters: Foukonou, Akerebunu, and Ekeremobiri.

Other towns said to belong to the same clan as Tuomo, a fishing and farming community, include Bolou-Tebegbe and Bolou-Tamigbe, which later gave rise to Toru-Tebegbe and Toru-Tamigbe in their present settlements along the creek, as well as Torugbene.

It was in Tuomo, during a burial ceremony, that our correspondent encountered a commercial motorcyclist (Okada rider), Stanley Aregbe. Sweating profusely, he eagerly awaited his next commuter, as burial guests thronged the area that day.

Stanley, with an ambience of a flowing river behind him, offered a few smiles, perhaps assuming the reporter was a potential customer. Nonetheless, his cheerful demeanour, as he sat atop his motorcycle, was enough to spark a conversation and glimpse into his life.

“My name is Stanley Aregbe,” he quipped, responding as his “assailant,” so to speak, stretched out a hand for a warm handshake and asked his name.

Ogulagha Kingdom, situated in the same Burutu Local Government Area as Tuomo, is a significant oil-producing community. Despite its strategic location and vast crude oil, hydrocarbon, and gas reserves, many youths have resorted to Okada riding due to limited opportunities.

The 34-year-old Stanley—who appeared older than his years—lamented the challenges of the business.

“Business is quite tough these days. I buy fuel at N1,200 per litre at the filling station and N1,300 on the black market,” he lamented, highlighting the struggles of a people living in an oil-rich but resource-starved region.

It is a cruel irony that in an area boasting over nine gas flow stations and oil wells—home to several international oil companies, including Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC)—locals still pay exorbitant prices for fuel extracted from their land.

Despite these realities, Stanley remains resilient, explaining how he navigates his business to support his family.

“I take people from here to Bomadi for N1,000 or N1,500. The distance isn’t too far. On good days, I make between N10,000 and N15,000.

“I am married with five children; they are in school. I am 34 years old.

“Things are tough in this country, but God is helping us in this economy. My wife runs a provision store, which helps support the family,” he recounted.

Stanley strongly believes that if governments at all levels genuinely prioritise the welfare of the people, life would be much better for the average citizen.

“I plead with President Bola Tinubu to create jobs for unemployed youths in the country.

“Also, we need electricity in this community and good roads. These are the immediate things I would like the government to provide for us,” Stanley appealed.

READ ALSO: How businesses can thrive during peak and trough