Anambra residents have called out for the state government to step in and reduce the high cost of transportation in the state.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) correspondent who monitored human movement during the holiday period reported on Thursday in Awka that rates have risen.
Nkiru Ifebuche, a resident of the state, told NAN that the rate at which commercial drivers increase rates over a period of time is concerning and should be reviewed as there is no known reason for the high rate.
Ms Ifebuche said there are no increases in fuel or diesel prices, and said commuters are concerned about the increase in rates from motorists. He called for government intervention.
“In civilized countries, rates are even lowered or concessions are given to some class of people during festive periods and plans to increase rates are announced to the people before the increase.
“What do we get here during our own holiday period? Commercial motorists raise rates without warning, this is wrong,” he said.
NAN reported that most of the passengers seen in the various Awka parking lots paid the new fees, indicating that less than 48 hours to go to the celebration, boarding a vehicle from Awka to Nkpor Motor Park to Onitsha’s main market costs between N500. and N600 in a minibus.
Also, those going from Awka to Nnewi pay N500 and the price increases further to around N1,000 after the day’s transaction. These are against the normal rate of N150.
A trip from Awka to the Isuanocha areas now costs N400 compared to N200 before the festive season.
The increase in the transport fare traverses all routes, as a drop in popular “city service” buses costing N50 to N100 now applies to N400.
Peter Ugwu, a traveler, expressed his sadness at the “strange attitude” of commercial drivers and condemned the misperception of the festive period marking the birth of Christ by some who profess Christianity.
Mr. Ugwu urged “people who think they can cause difficulties for others during special times like this to reconsider and change their attitude.”
Another traveler, Obigaeli Ikeoye, said that fares from Awka to local areas of the state are unnecessarily high and that has prevented him from going to Onitsha’s main market for Christmas shopping.
She expressed dismay that the high cost of transportation has denied her the opportunity to go shopping, as she would not spend all her little money on transportation.
NAN reported that the transportation fare from Awka to Enugu has now risen to N3,500 against N700 to N1,000 before the holiday period.
(YAYA)