Commercial drivers in Enugu State have increased their fares by 10 per cent following the rise in fuel prices across Nigeria

A survey in Enugu City revealed that many school pupils and traders and artisans trekked to their destinations due to an unexpected fare increase.

A transport fare from the Gariki area to the Aria New Market, which hitherto cost N500, rose to N600 on Monday. Also, the fare from the Meniru bus stop to the Ogbete Market increased to N600 from N500.

Similarly, the fare from Amechi Junction to the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) gate, which previously cost N400, now costs N500.

Buses and tricycle operators in Abakpa, a suburb of Enugu City, have also added N100 to every fare.

It is also a similar situation in Emene; some commercial drivers have also started adjusting their fares to the reality of the fuel situation.

Some residents who spoke to journalists expressed surprise at the development.

Franca Onyemechi, a petty trader at Kenyatta Market, said she was not aware of the increase in fuel prices, let alone fares.

She said, “When did they increase the fuel price? Because on Saturday, I paid N200 only for them to increase it to N300 on Monday. This is wickedness. Only God will save us in this country.”

Chibuike Eze, a student of the University of Nigeria (UNN), Enugu campus, decried the increase, saying the situation might affect students staying off campus.

“Imagine that I used to pay N300 to the campus gate every morning, but today drivers insisted it must be N400 from Mayor Junction to the campus gate; very unfortunate!” he said.

However, a commercial driver, Joseph Nwaba, said he bought fuel at N1,200 on Sunday evening.

“Even the increase for now is not enough; I bought fuel yesterday evening for N1200, and by 6:00 p.m., no filling station was selling again; they all closed.

“In the black market, yesterday evening, fuel sold for N1,500, so we may still increase fares more before the end of this week; it’s possible,” he said.

Only a few filling stations are dispensing petrol, leading to fears that the situation may worsen in the days ahead.

The usual vehicular traffic in some strategic junctions and busy spots was not noticed, as there seemed to be fewer vehicles on the roads.

Even the popular Holy Ghost Park, with its attendant vehicular and human traffic, was devoid of the usual vehicular movement.

Many commuters who were unaware of the situation were stranded at some bus stops, as commercial and tricycle operators insisted on the increases.

(NAN)