2 months ago
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Passengers and some commercial drivers have lamented the recent fuel scarcity following the hike in the pump price of petroleum products.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that commuters travelling between Mowe and Berger, heading towards Lagos State, were stranded as transport fares skyrocketed.
While the stranded commuters complained, some commercial drivers also expressed frustration, appealing to the Federal Government to intervene quickly.
Our correspondent spoke with some motorists and commuters between Mowe and Berger, who lamented that the situation was becoming unbearable.
A commercial bus driver, Ifeanyi Pius, who plies between Berger and Mowe in Ogun State, explained that the hike in petrol prices had made the job difficult for them as passengers complained bitterly about the fares they were being charged for their journeys.
He said, “Don’t you think it is difficult for us as well? Passengers are complaining about the amount we charge them, but it’s not our fault. The price at which we buy petrol is expensive too.
Yesterday, I bought a litre of petrol for N1,300, which means I need N13,000 to get 10 litres. That’s why we have to increase the fares as well because we need to make a profit too.”
Another driver, Kabiru Adeshina, said he increased the transport fare from Berger to Mowe from the previous N700 to N1,000.
“There’s nothing else we can do in this situation but to increase the fares. The fare from Mowe to Berger used to be N700, but now I charge N1,000. Everyone can see what’s going on now.”
Our correspondent also gathered that, between Ibafo, Arepo, and Warewa, drivers have increased fares from the previous N200 to N400. Different bus conductors were overheard charging N1,500 from Ibafo to Oshodi, indicating a N700 increase from the previous N800.
Meanwhile, most passengers who spoke with Saturday PUNCH also lamented the hike in transport fares.
A civil servant at Mowe bus stop, who preferred to be identified only as Mrs Olaide, said, “Now, we have to spend more on transportation to our workplaces every day. Many of us can’t even afford three square meals anymore because of the high cost of living.
“The amount we spend is now more than the money we earn monthly. The government should help us and find a solution to this problem.”
Another commuter at Old Garage, Aliu Olowookere, said the fuel scarcity and increased transport fares were causing passengers to spend more than they had budgeted.
He added that while commercial drivers increased fares to N1,000 from Old Garage to Mowe, motorcycle riders had also raised their fares to between N1,300 and N1,500.
He said, “Here at Old Garage, buses now charge N1,000, while motorcycle riders charge between N1,300 and N1,500 to Mowe.”
