Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have decried increased transport fares, which has limited their movement around the city centre.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that one of the greatest challenges they encounter is that even though PMS pump price has increased artonomically, they still can’t find it to buy as it is not readily available at many filling stations in the FCT, leading to artificial scarcity and panic and, needless to say, increasing cost of transportation.
Accordingly, they have called on the federal government and all other relevant authorities to urgently intervene in the situation as Nigerians are suffering and getting very desperate.
Mrs Rebecca Solomon, a civil servant, appealed to the Federal Government to redeem its promise of providing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for commuters.
According to Solomon, these vehicles when operational will greatly help in ameliorating the high cost of transportation which is affecting all sectors.
“Nigerians were happy when President Bola Tinubu announced the provision of buses to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.
“We have been waiting and hoping on the buses promised to us (residents) by the Federal Government but we are yet to see the buses.
“We need God’s intervention to pull through because the situation of things is not getting any better. Many people are suffering and dying,”she said.
Mr Godson Edache, a nurse said, the sharp rise in the cost of necessities is biting hard on residents and this could only be checked by reducing transportation fares.
Edache said: “Transportation is crucial as it affects virtually every thing/sector in the country. So it is not surprising that the cost of goods and services have skyrocketed.
“Every day I struggle to afford transportation to and from work because the cost of transportation keep changing everyday.
“The recent surge in bus fares has placed an additional burden on my already tight budget, making it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.
“Even at the clinic where I work, we no longer experience the heavy influx of customers as we used to because the cost of drugs has also increased and people cannot afford treatment, ” he said.
Mr Gabriel Ojo, a desk officer said: “I have long forgotten I own a car because I have not been able to use it in a long time due to high cost of fuel.
“I do not understand if the management of fuel stations are purposely hoarding the fuel to ensure scarcity to enable them to increase their prices.
“For me, I have put convenience behind me, abandoned my car and happily jumped into different cabs to work as that is what I can afford at the moment.
“Something really needs to be done and fast, because the situation is worsening by the day and the economy is not smiling any longer.”
For Agnes Goja, a student, trekking to school has become the order of the day for her. Her aunty, whom she lived with, could not afford to give her transportation fares.
“I live with an aunt who is a petty trader and has three children. My aunt used to give me transport fares to school before but not anymore.
“She said she can no longer afford to give me money for transport to school because she is barely managing to feed and pay our school fees,” Goja said.
Miss Abiba Sule, a trader, said she used to operate a mobile business that entailed moving from one ministry to another to sell her goods but cannot do the business anymore.
“I run a mobile business because I cannot afford to rent a shop. I used to go to different ministries and offices to sell my goods.
“These days, the business is very slow, the cost of the items have increased, transportation has increased and people are complaining of no money.
”It is no longer business as usual and it is seriously affecting my income. Right now, two of my children who are supposed to be in school are home because I cannot pay their fees.
“The situation is really bad. The government needs to come to our aid and improve our economy before all of us will die of hunger and poverty in this country,” she agonized.
However, Mr Festis Azubuike, a teacher who also decried the high cost of living in the country, has praised the doggedness and survival mechanism of Nigerians.
“I do not know how we do it in this country. We are very brave and creative people and I always tell my friends that Nigerians have shock absorbers.
“No matter the situation, we always find a way around it and try to get by. We can adjust to whatever situation we find ourselves in.
“The government at all levels and stakeholders need to come together, deliberate and implement policies that will ensure lasting solutions to our problems in the country,” he said.
