Africans hit hard by oil prices

Africans are struggling to cope with stubbornly high global oil prices which are forcing many to walk long distances to work or schools, go hungry as food prices skyrocket, and depend on candles to light their homes. Crude oil prices surged to a record $68 a barrel this week on supply concerns, raising fears of further fuel hikes in Africa where burdened families were already reeling from rises.

"I have a car that I have now parked. I cannot afford fuel because I have other needs such as paying school fees for my children, rent and food," said John Shiundu, a shopkeeper outside Nairobi's city centre.

Students have not been spared. "I have to walk for eight km to school and another eight km back home just to save some money," said Lewis Nyirenda, a college student in the Zambian capital Lusaka.

Post a Comment:

Comments are closed for this entry.

« Washington to be... | Main | GM, Ford Motor Debt... »

Most popular blog postings on lowem.log :

1. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid preliminary specifications released
2. Singapore SIBOR rate falls to 0.69% in Jan 2009, lowest since Apr 2004
3. How to insert currency exchange rates into Google Spreadsheets
4. Live spot gold price quotes chart on COMEX
5. 2010 Toyota Prius specifications released : 50 mpg, 1.8L, 134hp, Ni-MH, solar roof option
6. Singapore MRT rail network length to double by 2020
7. Singapore property market : Home prices fall 13.8% in Q1 2009
8. 2010 Honda Insight specifications released : 41 mpg, 1.3L, 98hp, i-VTEC, CVT

Featured articles on lowem.log :

1. ABC Guide to Beating Inflation in Singapore and Elsewhere
2. Baltic Dry Index falls 93% as shipping rates plunge, signalling global economic collapse
3. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid preliminary specifications released
4. 2010 Honda Insight specifications released : 41 mpg, 1.3L, 98hp, i-VTEC, CVT
5. 2010 Toyota Prius specifications released : 50 mpg, 1.8L, 134hp, Ni-MH, solar roof option
6. Peakoiler buys 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid FD3
7. NYMEX crude oil recovers from $32.40 low after 2.2 mbpd OPEC production cut announced
8. Singapore SIBOR rate falls to 0.69% in Jan 2009, lowest since Apr 2004