Design of a Web-Based Platform for Monitoring Daily Fuel Pump Prices Across Filling Stations in Enugu

Fuel price volatility in Nigeria, driven by deregulation policies and fluctuating exchange rates, has created a context in which consumers and businesses in Enugu frequently pay varying prices across filling stations without access to comparative pricing information. The absence of a centralised fuel price monitoring platform in Enugu State means that motorists must physically visit multiple stations or rely on informal social media updates to identify the most affordable fuel source, leading to wasted time and increased transportation costs. This study designed a web-based platform for monitoring and displaying daily fuel pump prices across filling stations in Enugu, enabling consumers to make informed fuelling decisions and providing regulators with data to support price compliance monitoring. The platform was built using PHP, MySQL, and Bootstrap, with a Leaflet.js mapping interface displaying filling station locations and current pump prices across Enugu metropolis. Filling station managers or designated price reporters submitted daily price updates through an authenticated data entry portal, while a moderation layer allowed administrative staff to flag anomalous submissions for review. Public users accessed the platform through a searchable directory and interactive map without requiring registration. Prototype testing with simulated station data confirmed accurate price display, reliable map rendering, and timely update propagation. Consumer participants in usability trials expressed enthusiasm for the platform's practical utility. The study concluded that a fuel price monitoring platform would improve pricing transparency and consumer welfare in Enugu's deregulated fuel market.

Keywords: fuel price monitoring, filling stations, Enugu, web platform, consumer transparency