Commercial bus drivers operating within the Onitsha metropolis have lamented low patronage due to the current economic hardship occasioned by the petrol pump price hike following the fuel subsidy removal.

On Thursday, most filling stations visited were dispensing petrol between N650 and N660.

A mini-bus commercial driver, Michael Ogbonna, said those in the transportation business are the worst hit by the negative impact of the removal of fuel subsidy.

“Transporters are really suffering. Most of the gains we make end up going into repairs of our vehicles and buying of fuel. We struggle to pay our bills, including all sorts of revenues to government agents, from what we make daily,” said Mr Ogbonna. “If the current fuel pump price goes up again, some of us will close our businesses and probably go into some other businesses or consider farming.”

A bus driver, Emmanuel Ikem, said, “We understand that times are hard. We are not blaming our passengers for trying to negotiate prices. We’re all affected.”

Another driver, Ignatius Ikechukwu, noted that “some persons don’t even come out again.”

He added, “They do whatever business they have within their areas, just to save them from paying new transport fares, while others trek.”

They appealed to the government to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and also reduce the rate of taxes levied on citizens.

(NAN)