After battling with the fluctuating price hike, government finally increased the prices of petroleum products from Le14,500 to Le16,500 last week.

Ever since, Sierra Leoneans have been finding it difficult to cope with the new development and this has been reflecting on how they have been going about their daily activities.

Concord Times went into the streets to get the views of some of the people about the increase and below are what they had to say:

Olivette Barnette - Worker I think the sudden increase in the price of petroleum products is a global trend. We are lucky that our own price is not too high compared to other countries of the world. Honestly, anytime there is an increase in price especially fuel, it is an embarrassment to the government.	Aquilla Thompson - Trader The increase in the prices of petroleum products is a worldwide phenomenon and I think the government has nothing to do with that. Let us pray that the world markets do not increase the prices again. Let us change our negative thinking and stop casting blame on the government.
Musa Kamara - Top-up seller The latest increase in the prices of petroleum products is affecting us greatly because transportation fares have also increased. Though we say the increase is according to world market, but I think the government has something to do.	Michael Gilpin - Trader I think the government should have it in mind that they are working in the interest of the people and so whenever they want to increase prices, they should first of all consider the after effects.
Mohamed Jalloh - Driver The increase in the prices of fuel does not come as a surprise to me because it is a global trend and there is nothing the government could do to stop it. Since last Friday, I have not been making the money I used to make in the past because of the increase.	Sorie Ibrahim Sesay - Worker I think it is total hardship for the people because for anytime there is an increase in pump price, the poor would suffer greatly. The only way to salvage this present situation is to reduce the taxes at the quay. Once the taxes are reduced, the problem would be solved.
Aminata Sesay - Trader It is a global trend and there is nothing we could do stop it. Since the prices of fuel started going up, they have never come down and this is bad. I think America is the main factor of fuel increase in the world because they are disturbing the oil producing countries.	Fatmata Kargbo - Businesswoman It is not a surprise to me when I heard it on the radio that the prices of fuel have been increased because it has always been the case. All I think government should do is to increase the salaries of workers in order to minimize the problem.