Motorcyclists (Okada riders) in parts of the Makurdi metropolis increased their fares on Tuesday due to the visit of Vice-President Kashim Shetima to Benue.

The situation reports that from Ankpa Quarters to the high-level roundabout, which used to be N200, it was N250, and from the modern market to Wurukum, it was N450 instead of N350. 

A cross-section of the riders and passengers blamed the hike in fares on the road diversion created by the FRSC due to the vice-president’s visit.

Abraham Etu, a motorcyclist, said he had to take a longer route to take his passenger to his destination because of the diversion order.

“Before, I can go straight from Ankpa quarters to high-level roundabout or even Wurukum but now I have to take Inikpi Street to link the major road which is a longer route.

“We all know the situation of fuel and at the end of the day you have to give account of your day`s job to the owner of the bike,” Mr Etu said.

Jeremiah Ekpo, a motorcyclist, explained that they were not seizing the opportunity of the VP’s visit to exploit passengers but were charging fares according to the distance.

A passenger, Veronica Chia, said she had to cough out almost double what she used to pay as bike fare to reach her destination.

“The bike picked me up from Naka road to low-level roundabout at the rate of N500 with ‘abeg oo’, and that was the place I used to pay N350 for before,” Ms Chia said.

James Okpanachi said he had to pay N600 from Modern Market junction to Benue Links Park at Wurukum as against N400 fare before now.

“I know that there is a road diversion because the motorcyclist had to go through David Mark Bypass to link the road to Wurukum, but I still think the increase is on the high side,” Mr Okpanachi said.

Mr Shittima is in Makurdi on a working visit.

(NAN)