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Commuters in Imo and Abia, travelling for Christmas and other private purposes, have expressed deep concern over sharp fare hikes by transporters.
They also lament the longer travel times and stress caused by the numerous military and police checkpoints positioned close together along various routes in the South-East states.
A cross-section of people interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria voiced their frustration, stating that they spend more time on the road than usual due to the multiple checkpoints.
Commuter drivers also alleged extortion by operatives manning the checkpoints.
A commercial vehicle driver, Mr. Charles Agwulonu, who operates on the Owerri-Aba route, complained that a trip, which should last 40 minutes, now takes about two hours due to avoidable delays at checkpoints.
Similarly, Mr. Ugochukwu Okeiyi, who drives the Owerri-Umuahia route, noted that ongoing road reconstruction by the Federal Government was impeding smooth traffic flow, especially with more vehicles on the road during the Yuletide.
Okeiyi added that the money spent “settling” military and police officers at checkpoints is often included in the fare by transport unions.
“The money we spend at checkpoints is passed on to passengers, hence the fare increase,” he said.
Travellers from Owerri to Enugu and Port Harcourt also complained about the numerous checkpoints causing delays.
Mrs. Chinwendu Uju said the situation exposed commuters to unnecessary risks and inhuman treatment, as passengers were sometimes forced to disembark and walk across military checkpoints.
Mr. Chukwudi Okeke, a traveller, argued that checkpoints had become “money spinners” for operatives, rather than serving as security measures to prevent crime.
“Rarely do these operatives stop crime from happening because even criminals pay and continue on their way,” Okeke said.
Other travellers decried the hike in fares, especially from Owerri to Lagos and Abuja.
Transport companies like Peace Mass Transit and ABC now charge between N23,000 and N25,000 from Owerri to Lagos and between N35,000 and N38,000 to Abuja.
Fares from Owerri to Port Harcourt have risen to between N5,500 and N17,300, depending on the vehicle type, while fares to Aba and Umuahia have also increased from N2,500 to N3,000 and from N3,000 to N4,000, respectively.
In Abia, commuters and commercial vehicle drivers face similar fare hikes and delays due to multiple checkpoints.
A driver, Sunday Emetuh, who operates the Umuahia-Ohafia route, cited the poor road condition, currently undergoing rehabilitation by the state government, as the main issue.
Emetuh said the dilapidated road forced drivers to take alternative routes, resulting in further delays. He also linked a recent fatal accident on the route to the poor state of the road.
“We have no other problem at the moment, as we are not disturbed by the army or police,” Emetuh said.
For Theophilus Onyeze, a driver on the Umuahia-Owerri route, the “mode of operation” at military checkpoints causes long delays, ranging from 30 minutes to an hour.
“The Joint Security Team stops young men from vehicles, which causes delays lasting between 30 minutes and two hours,” Onyeze said.
Commuters like Ndubuisi Iheme, who travel from Umuahia to Aba, noted that the fare had increased from N1,500 to N2,000 for a 45-minute journey due to the extended checkpoints.
“Inefficient handling of drivers by checkpoint operatives results in long delays,” he added.
Civil servant Mr Promise Kanu complained that the fare hikes contributed to the rising cost of goods and services, as traders in Umuahia often source their goods from Aba.
“Fare hikes increase living costs,” Kanu said. “This will reflect in the price of goods and services.”
Resident Mr Ibeabuchi Jerry-Gab feared that many people would be unable to travel to their villages for Christmas due to the high fares.
“I travelled to Arochukwu from Umuahia for N7,000, up from between
N4,000 and N5,000,” Jerry-Gab said, adding that some prospective travellers were stranded when they realised their budgets were insufficient.
He urged the government to provide buses at subsidised rates during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Jerry-Gab also called on the Federal Government to reinstate the fuel subsidy to help lower the cost of living.
A mother of four, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was asked to pay N6,500 for her fare to Abakaliki, plus N2,000 for her luggage.
“The outrageous fares this season are frustrating,” she said.
Many holidaymakers described the situation as “frustrating” and “unacceptable”, blaming the drivers for the fare hike, which they felt was unjustified, despite the slight reduction in petrol prices.
Despite the higher fares, many people were seen at different parks in Umuahia preparing for their Christmas travel.
At the Peace Mass Transit Park on Umuwaya Road, prospective passengers were seen getting ready for their journeys.
The fare from Umuahia to Onitsha now costs N5,600, while the trip to Asaba costs N6,600, up from N4,500 and N5,500, respectively.
The fare from Umuahia to Enugu and Lagos is now N5,600 and N26,000, respectively.
An Enugu-bound passenger, Mr Greg Orji, stated that the high transport fares were making it difficult for people to travel with their families at Christmas.
“While fares are high, people still need to travel for Christmas. However, many will not go with their families due to the high costs,” Orji said.
Driver Mr Nathaniel Okoye, who operates the Umuahia-Onitsha and Enugu routes, attributed the high fares to the increase in fuel prices after the subsidy removal.
“The drivers should not be blamed for the high fares. We are also feeling the pain,” Okoye said, explaining that the price of fuel had only marginally reduced from between N1,100 and N1,120 to between N1,070 and N1,080 per litre.
He argued that this minor reduction was not enough to significantly lower transport fares.
(NAN)
