Fuel shortage: Passengers lament soaring transport fares in Ilorin
Some commuters in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, have lamented the rising cost of transportation in the city due to the current fuel shortage.
Some passengers who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday said they were paying double the previously increased fares since the removal of fuel subsidy.
NAN reports that transport fares have increased in Lorin metropolis since Saturday due to fuel shortage and unavailability of fuel.
It used to cost N100 to go from Orunrade to Offa Garage, but now it costs N200. From Offa Garage to Mandate Market he was N200 and now he is between N350 and N400 depending on his bargaining power.
Also, the fare from Orunlade to the post office is currently 400 Naira, while commercial motorbikes plying within the area up to the junction cost 250 Naira to 300 Naira instead of 150 Naira and 200 Naira.
Grace Phillip, who went shopping at Mandate Market, said the cost of transportation meant she could buy fewer things at the market.
“The money I already had could not buy everything I needed at home, but I had to come and do something, but once I got to the road, the transportation costs doubled.
“This means that the limited money I have will be affected again, which means the fact that what we are going through is intolerable.
“In recent weeks, there have been rumors that fuel prices will drop, but instead fuel has become more expensive and even unavailable as people struggle to buy it,” she said.
Aisha Mohamed said she had to trek from the intersection where she was dropped off at her home because the money she had spent on her bike was wasted riding on the main road.
She implored the situation to be brought under control immediately as it is not easy for people to reach a place where they can earn a living.
Umar Haroon expressed sympathy for the students, saying that with fewer vehicles on the roads, students spend their most valuable time fighting for transportation.
He says they may be tired by the time they get to school and be useless for the rest of the day.
NAN reported that only a few petrol stations were selling fuel and there were long queues of vehicles.
Vendors distributed a liter of fuel for N750 while others sold it for between 850 and 900 Naira, while black marketers sold it for as high as 1,000 and 1,500 Naira per liter.
Source: guardian.ng