Abuja residents have expressed concern over rising transport fares following the increase in petrol pump price.
Petrol, previously sold between N835 and N875 per litre in Abuja, now costs between N1,200 and N1,350, leading to a spike in transport fares by about 100 per cent.
Ngozi Okeke, a civil servant in Garki, said the fare from Nyanya to the city centre had increased within days of the fuel price adjustment.
“Last week, I paid N800 to work, but today I paid N1,000. It may look small, but when you calculate it for the whole week, it is a lot,” she said.
Theresa Godspower, said she paid N700 from Nyanya to the federal secretariat, instead of the N500.
Musa Abdullahi said he paid N1,200 from Masaka to the city centre, compared to the N700 he used to pay.
Godwin Ameh said the fare from Lugbe to Wuse increased from N800 to N1,000, adding that some drivers charged up to N1,200.
Amos Badifu, a public servant, said, “Whenever fuel goes up, transporters increase fares, and traders also raise the cost of food items because of transportation.
”The fare from Kuje to Berger has increased from N1,300 to N1,500, even bike fares have also increased. I know that before next week, prices of some major food items will have increased, as most sellers often look for reasons to increase the price of their items.”
A taxi driver, John Eze, said, “Yesterday, I bought fuel at N1,250 per litre, but today it is N1,350. We have to adjust fares, or we will run at a loss.”
Fewer vehicles were seen on some major roads in the city.
According to an economist, Ibrahim Sule, hike in fuel prices often has a ripple effect on the economy, especially on transportation and food supply.
Mr Sule explained that transportation costs are a major component of the price of goods in Nigeria, particularly food transported from rural areas to urban markets.
“When fuel prices rise, transport costs increase, and traders usually pass the additional cost to consumers. This is why people fear food inflation may follow,” he said.
Mr Sule advised the government to strengthen social protection measures and improve mass transit systems to cushion the impact on residents.
He also said that investment in alternative transport systems could help reduce the country’s heavy dependence on petrol-powered mobility.
(NAN)
