By Nkeiruka Innocent Ekeh
Commuters were left stranded along the Onitsha–Owerri Road as they awaited commercial vehicles to convey them to their respective destinations. Mr. James Nnaemeka, one of the affected passengers, disclosed that he had been waiting by the roadside for several hours in anticipation of the arrival of additional vehicles, hoping that transport fares would revert to the standard rate. “I assumed the fare would decrease, but I was mistaken,” he stated.
He explained that upon arriving at the motor park, he observed two vehicles awaiting passengers. However, upon being informed that the fare to his destination had increased from N1,500 to N3,000, he declined to board. “I regret that decision; I would have reached my destination by now,” he lamented.
On his part, Mr. Emeka Emodi acknowledged the impact of the prevailing high cost of fuel but maintained that transport operators were exploiting the situation. “While it is true that fuel prices are high, our people are taking undue advantage. Why should one be required to pay N3,000 to travel to Ihiala, which is not a distant location?” he queried.
Miss Ifeoma Nnaji appealed to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to intervene on behalf of the citizenry. She noted that her trip to the village had been financially burdensome and expressed reluctance to embark on a return journey due to the prevailing transportation challenges.
For Miss Chisom Idemili, the primary concern was not the fare increment but the unavailability of vehicles. She expressed willingness to pay any amount demanded, provided a vehicle was available to convey passengers to their destination. “There are no vehicles in sight,” she said.
Similarly, Mr. Ododo Idoko, a park loader, attributed the increase in transport fares to the current hike in fuel prices. He explained that although fares are customarily reviewed upward during festive periods, the present circumstance constitutes a “double increment” occasioned by both the fuel price surge and the festive season. “This is why the impact is severe. It is not our fault,” he stated.
Nkeiruka is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
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