Residents of Jos, the capital of Plateau, have decried the continuous hike in transport fares in spite of the reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Some of the residents told journalists on Sunday in Jos that the rising cost of transportation was making life unbearable for many Nigerians.

The disappointed residents added that instead of reduction, transport fares were increasing in spite of the reduction in the price of PMS.

On Dec. 19, 2024, the Dangote refinery reduced the ex-depot price of its petrol from N970 to N899.50 per litre.

This sparked an intense pricing reduction in the downstream sector, forcing the NNPCL to reduce its ex-depot price to N899 per litre as well.

Similarly, the Dangote refinery announced its partnership with MRS Petrol station to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre.

Philp Dasar, a civil servant, said that the reduction in the fuel price by both Dangote refinery and the NNPCL should naturally reduce transport fares across the nation.

“Currently, petrol stations in Jos and environs, including the NNPCL outlets, sell fuel between N990 and N1,000 per litre.

“Unfortunately, rather than go down, the cost of transportation is going up on a daily basis.

“Immediately fuel subsidy was removed, motorists also increased fares, now that the pump price is gradually reducing, it should reflect on transport fares as well,” he said.

On her part, Roseline Dakuk, a petty trader, said that the rising cost of transportation was negatively affecting the prices of goods and services, particularly foodstuff.

“We still pay high transport fare to move our goods from one point to another; and traders will want to make a little profit.

“With the reduction in fuel price, we expect a reduction in transport fares as well, but nothing has changed.

“This is partly why the prices of foodstuff is still high in the markets,” she said

Also speaking, Josiah Sati, an applicant, called on the government to ensure price control in the economy.

“The practice has been that once the price of goods and services goes up, nothing bring it down again; this is because we lack price control and regulation in the country.

“Immediately fuel subsidy was removed, transport fare from Jos to Kaduna moved from N4,000 to 10,000, Jos to Akwanga increased from N1,500 to N5,500.

“The fare from Jos to Abuja increased from N3,000 to N8,000; unfortunately, these fares have not changed even with the current reduction in the pump price of fuel,” he lamented.

Blessing Alex, a student of the University of Jos, who also decried the increasing rate of transport fares, however, thanked Plateau government for introducing the metro buses and resuscitating the train mass transit.

“Transport fares are still very high, but we thank the Plateau government for introducing the metro buses and the reviving the train mass transit.

“These laudable initiatives have gone a long way to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal on residents of Jos and environ, particularly civil servants and students.

“Currently, you need not less than N1,500 to move from Vom junction to Farin Gada axis in a taxi, but with N200 you can embark on the same trip using the metro bus.

“So, we are grateful to the government and pray that the initiative will be sustained for the greater good of humanity,” she prayed.

Ms Alex, however, called on the government to ensure commercial drivers do not overcharge commuters, particularly with the current reduction in the pump price of petrol.

(NAN)