Fuel Price Hikes: Commercial Transporters Vow To Transfer Burden On Commuters

Commercial transport operators in Nigeria have vowed that so long as fuel prices continue to rise, they would have no option than to transfer the burden of paying for it on commuters.
The operators said they should not be blamed for their action, which they admitted might be harsh and painful. They said they hardly make any gain from their business.
Commercial bus and taxi drivers who spoke to National Point Newspaper at different locations stressed that they if they bore the burden alone they would be pushed out of business.
Mr. Chikezie Onyeije, a commercial bus driver operating along Ikwerre Road, told our correspondent that the latest action of the federal government was not only insensitive but was very bad for business.
“As long as fuel price keep going up, we on our own part will continue to increase transport fare that average commuter can afford”, Onyeije insisted.
He said, “When the righteous rule the people rejoice. Are the righteous ruling now, and are the people happy with them?”
Another commercial bus driver, Kingsley Igwe, who plies Port Harcourt – Aba Express Road, expressed what he termed “total dismay and disappointment” over government decision to continue to punish the masses.
He said, “I remember clearly when Nigeria was Nigeria, when we had God fearing leaders, and good governance, things were very ok,” recalling that fuel and transportation were cheap and affordable.
He said the only thing that would solve the problem is a return to subsidy regime, which will also see to the drastic reductions in the prices of all products, including transportation costs.
A taxi driver whose route is Rumuomasi -Elekahia-Garison, Mr. Oliver Nduka, explained that he has been in the business of taxi driving for more than 18 years, revealing that things have never been so hard, and hash.
“When I started plying this axis years ago, we were charging #30, later #50. From 2017-May 28, 2023, we charged #100.
“But, the moment Bola Tinubu was sworn in as President and increased fuel price, we increased our fare to #150. Subsequent increments in fuel prices today have upped our fare charge to #250”, he recounted, describing the situation as so sad, unfortunate, despicable, unacceptable, and very unfair.
“Well, there’s nothing we can do. We feel the pains too, because we are Nigerians and buy from the same market. Traders buy goods at exorbitant prices, and also pay for high costs of transporting themselves and their goods to final destinations for sells .He said the worst is that fuel pumps in all filling stations are being adjusted on daily basis by heartless fuel attendants, and that the speed at which fuel burns is another issue that gives concern to all including transporters of commercial vehicles.
Nduka maintained that he never expected the present government of Tinubu to maltreat Nigerians in this manner, saying, “Honestly, this government came with bad intentions and never meant well for poor Nigerians”.
National Point boarded a Keke tricycle operated by a Northerner, who gave his name as Isa Aliu, from Oilmill junction -Elelenwo-Akpajo.
Aliu narrated in pidgin English: “Make I tell you, something don spoil for Nigeria well well. Before before we dey charge passenger from Oil Mill to Elelenwo #50, and even to Akpajo. After we increase am to #70, and #100. Before last week, we dey charge#150. But now, dem increase fuel price again, we don increase our price now, from Oil Mill junction to anywhere for Elelenwo to #200; Akpajo is #250.”
Asked if the price hike in transportation is not outrageous, Aliu responded, “Oga, no bi we cause am. Na government dey do am. If government stop to increase fuel, something go better.”
He lamented the latest price increase in fuel, noting the high costs in vehicular spare parts, and as well as the recent in drivers license and number plates, pointing out that all these are heavy loads on them.
On there own, commuters also cried out over what they are passing through in the country as a result of selfish, greedy, and irresponsible governance since nine years ago.
An Akwa Ibom lady who spoke to our correspondent at Rumuokwurusi, complained that the burden is too much on her, as she has to contend with the responsibilities of children’s school fees, feeding, health care, and high costs of transportation on daily basis.
According to the lady who gave her name as Immabom Udofia, “I am thinking on how to travel to my village in the next few weeks for burial, but with the high costs of transportation now, I think it will be difficult for me to make it.
“Imagine the cost of traveling from Port Harcourt to Uyo has astronomically risen to between #9,500, to #10,000. So, if I’m traveling to my village now, I have to make out about #30,000.” She prayed God to have mercy on the poor.
Another lady, Cecilia Amadi expressed deep reservations about the country’s economic woes. Mrs. Amadi, who is in her late 60s, recalled with pain that, “this is not how we saw the country and our leaders when we were growing up”.
She regretted that, “today, things have gone so bad in all aspects of life because of insensitive leaders and their bad governance.”
Mrs. Cecilia Amadi also cried bitterly, recalling how the past government of Muhammadu Buhari and the current administration of Bola Tinubu derided Nigerians in the past nine years.
Recall that recently, former Governor of Rivers State, and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, lambasted Nigerian youths for being silent despite increasing hardship in the country.