Abuja commuters face challenges as transportation fares soar due to NNPCL’s recent fuel price hike to N855 per litre, causing widespread disruptions and stranding many travelers.
On Tuesday, numerous commuters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were left stranded at different bus stops as a result of an abrupt rise in transportation costs.
The announcement occurred a couple of hours following the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited’s decision to raise its pump price up to N855 per litre.
According to some commuters who spoke with NAN, they were left stranded after the fares they paid for their morning commutes to work doubled in the afternoon.
The frustrated commuters demanded swift government intervention for the benefit of underprivileged Nigerians regarding this development.
According to clerk Miss Amina Yusuf, she paid N1,000 for transportation from her residence in Gudu to work in Garki; however upon leaving work, she discovered that the fare had doubled.
At the Phototech junction, I stood amongst commuters who lacked sufficient funds to board a vehicle. It was only when a colleague appeared and rescued me that my situation improved.
Mr Kingsley Okoye, another commuter, voiced his complaints stating that the increased fares had put a strain on his financial situation.
Okoye stated that he departed his house with only a small sum of money, assuming it would be enough to take him to work; however, he quickly discovered that the transportation fare had risen.
I was overcharged for my fare from Apo to Gudu, with the price being N400 instead of N250. Consequently, I had to search for a cash withdrawal point and acquire additional funds in order not to be stranded at work.
The injustice of this situation is undeniable. The government seems to disregard the plight of Nigerians and prioritize their own policies, which are not in our best interest.
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According to Mrs. Jennifer Fabian, she previously spent N200 for transportation from Nyanya to the city center but due to an increase in pump price resulting in a fare hike of up to N600, her expenses have gone up significantly as well.
According to her, due to the sudden surge in fuel prices, the transportation expense soared up to N1, 200 which was exorbitant when weighed against her income.
According to Fabians, the rise will undoubtedly have a domino effect on practically all sectors of the economy, with food prices – already expensive – being particularly impacted.
As Nigerians are suffering, it is incumbent upon President Bola Tinubu to take action.
Ever since Tinubu removed the subsidy, the economy has been in turmoil. Frustration is already claiming lives and unless prompt action is taken, it will only get worse.
Mr. Ahmed Musa, a trader at Wuse Market, expressed his frustration by saying that he needs to take two separate buses every morning just to reach the market.
Previously, my expenses for transportation were N300. However now it has doubled and escalated to N600 for a one-way trip. With the current trend in prices, I may have no choice but to shut down my shop before its usual closing time as an attempt at reducing transport expenses.
The timing couldn’t be worse as schools are getting ready to reopen and parents are having a hard time affording the school fees.
“Transportation of children to and from school is also a concern that demands immediate attention from the government,” stated Musa.
