Ayodele Olalere
The removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal government which has resulted in increase in pump price from N200 to N500 per litre as directed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has caused untold hardship to many Nigerians.
It has become a case of lamentations, tears, pain and agony as Nigerians now pay through their noses to get to their destination.
The high cost of transportation which has doubled in the last 72hrs since the announcement was made by President Bola Tinubu has forced many Nigerians to now stay indoor while those who dares to go out now trek long distances to avoid paying exorbitant fare.
In Lagos, transport fare from Oke-Aro, an Ogun State community that bordered Lagos. to Agege, a Lagos community which used to cost N300 now cost N600.
Commercial trycycle operators from Ishaga to Agege, that used to charge N200 now charges N350, while commercial bus drivers that used to charge N300 from Agege to Oshodi now charges N500. At peak hours, the price increases to N600
A trip from Agege to Yaba which was formerly N500 now goes for N700.
The Nigerian Xpress Newspaper observed that more people now treks to their destination. Mr Gbenga Okeowo, a resident of Ishaga, noted that since the increase in transportation, he has been walking from his house in Ishaga to Agege as he could not afford the new price.
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“I have trekked two times, to and fro, from my house to Agege where I do my business because the money transporters are charging is high. There are even fewer buses and commercial motorcyclists on the road. As from tomorrow (Friday), I will begin staying at home and go out only when its neccessary,” he lamented.
Seun Akinyemi, a fashion designer who lives in Oke-Aro but has her shop in Agege also lamented that the high cost of fare has made her to trek half of her journey to work.
“Since yesterday, I have been trekking half of my journey to work. I would trek from Oke-Aro to Fagba, and from there enter Keke N200 to Agege. I do same when coming back. It has been very difficult to cope,” she said.