Increase in petrol prices: Residents complain about the increase in transport fares

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed concern over the increase in transport fares following the recent increase in petrol prices at the pump across the country.

The pump price of petrol was previously sold between N835 and N875 in the FCT, now it is sold between N1,200 and N1,350.

Following the increase, transport fares increased by approximately 100%.

Some commuters on Friday said commercial vehicle operators had already adjusted fares upwards, warning that the development could worsen the cost of living.

Mrs Ngozi Okeke, a civil servant from Garki, said the fare from Nyanya to the city center increased within a few days of the fuel price adjustment.

“Last week I paid N800 to work, but today I paid N1,000. It may seem little, but if you calculate it for the whole week, it is a lot,” he said.

Another passenger, Theresa Godspower, said she paid N700 from Nyanya to the Federal Secretariat, instead of the N500 she had paid earlier.

A commuter, Musa Abdullahi, said he paid N1,200 from Masaka to the city centre, compared to N700 he paid before.

Mr Godwin Ameh, said the fare from Lugbe to Wuse increased from N800 to N1,000, adding that some drivers even charged up to N1,200.

Amos Badifu, a public official, said increases in transport fares often triggered increases in food prices in markets.

“Every time fuel increases, transporters increase rates and traders also increase the cost of food items due to transportation.

” The fare from Kuje to Berger has increased from N1,300 to N1,500, bicycle fares have also increased.

“I know that before next week, the prices of some major food items will increase, as most sellers often look for reasons to increase the price of their items,” he said.

A taxi driver, John Eze, said operators had no choice but to adjust fares to stay in business.

“Yesterday I bought fuel at N1,250 per litre, but today it is at N1,350. We have to adjust the rates or we will make a loss,” he said.

Fewer vehicles were seen on some of the city’s main roads as many vehicle owners began to feel the impact of rising fuel prices.

An economist, Dr Ibrahim Sule, said increases in fuel prices often had a knock-on effect across the economy, particularly transport and food supplies.

According to Sule, transportation costs are a major component of the price of goods in Nigeria, especially food transported from rural areas to urban markets.

“When fuel prices rise, transportation costs increase and traders usually pass on the additional costs to consumers. This is why people fear that food inflation may follow,” he said.

Sule advised the government to strengthen social protection measures and improve public transport systems to cushion the impact on residents.

He also said that investments in alternative transportation systems could help reduce the country’s heavy reliance on gasoline-powered mobility.