By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Many kekenapep drivers and passengers in Lokoja, Kogi State, North Central Nigeria, have turned to negotiation and mutual understanding over transportation fares due to the rising fuel prices driving up transportation costs.
Our correspondent observed a mild drama at Gadumo quarters on Lokoja-Ganaja Road, where a passenger and a kekenapep driver engaged in galore of pleas and prayer over transport fare.
The passenger had stopped the kekenapep and asked to be taken to the Post Office in Lokoja. Upon stopping, the driver announced, “Madam, the fare is now N300.000 for the trip to the Post Office, not the usual N200.000.
We’re now buying fuel at N1,000.000 per liter, so we have to charge extra to cover costs, even if we don’t make a profit.”
The passenger replied, “I understand the fuel situation and the impact of the subsidy removal, but please, can you accept N200.000? I beg you in the name of God,”she said.
The driver responded, “I also beg you, in the name of God, to consider my situation and I accept the fare.Ninety-five per cent of my earnings go towards buying fuel. I purchased this kekenapep on hire purchase and pay N10,000 daily to the company that provided it.”
Despite the passenger’s heartfelt pleas and prayers, the driver remained firm on the fare. Reluctantly, the passenger boarded the kekenapep, and it departed after a brief standoff.
Motorists and passengers in Lokoja and its surrounding areas told our correspondent in various interviews that they have been struggling with a dramatic rise in transport fares due to the increase in fuel prices.
Our correspondent’s investigation revealed that fuel has become a scarce commodity, as many fuel stations have closed their gates, citing out-of-stock conditions for the lack of availability.
Many residents, in their interview with our correspondent described the situation as a clear illustration of the impact that the removal of the fuel subsidy has had on the social and economic lives of Nigerians.
They urged the federal government to reconsider the removal of the fuel subsidy in light of the ongoing economic difficulties facing the country.
Residents also called on the federal government to fix the refineries to enable them function at maximum capacity to improve the supply of fuel locally and ensure a drastic drop in the pump price and cause multiplier effect on social and economic activities in the country.
“The harsh economic reality confronting many Nigerians today could be significantly eased if the issue of fuel subsidy is revisited,” Mr. Ajayi Oladimeji told The Reporters in an interview in Lokoja.
