Following the hike in fuel prices, Nigerians opted for trekking and cycling in major cities for interstate movement, increasing the cost of transportation nationwide.
Some residents of Ogun State said they had abandoned their cars in favour of public transport, coupled with trekking, to cope with the unbearable hardship caused by the fuel crisis.
A senior health worker in the state, Mrs. Fauziyah Adesola, said she had dropped her car and cut down on unnecessary journeys.
“With the fuel subsidy removal and the price rising from N200 to N600 per litre, I initially tried to stubbornly use my personal car, but I found out that it was a battle I couldn’t win. I was burning so much on fuel, children’s school bills were skyrocketing, and the cost of food and many other things was rising, yet the salary remained unchanged.
“So, I switched to using public transport when going to my workstation outside Abeokuta, and I added a bit of trekking. I have since found peace. I have also cut down on unnecessary journeys and social engagements,” she lamented.
Another resident, Mr. Kola Adio, said he had also parked his car and embraced public transport and trekking to manage the burdensome cost of transportation.
He said, “I stopped taking my car to work in January, and I have noticed that many people in my neighbourhood have done the same. I now use public transport to work, which costs me an average of N2000, compared to the N10,000 I was spending daily.”
A man, David Michael, said he now uses commercial motorcycles, popularly called okada, to get to work.
He said, “Is it not better to spend N1,200 on a bike to work daily than about N5,000 or even more driving myself? It is common sense. What I do now is just take my car to church when the whole family is involved.
“I have also learnt to trek for at least 10 minutes from my house to the junction to get a bike to my work station. Many people are doing the same because this economy is harsh. It is terrible. None of us prepared for this situation, but God will see us through.”
In some parts of Delta State, a similar trend is observed as some Nigerians in Asaba trekked to work, while others used bicycles for movement within the state capital on Friday.
A resident in the city, Mr. Monday Iwu, said he resorted to using a bicycle because he could not afford to buy fuel at the exorbitant price.
“I have a car, but since the fuel hike, I have parked my car and have been using a bicycle to work. However, our problem is the road. There are no proper roads, and cars, trucks, and even tricycles don’t allow us on the road; they harass us with their big vehicles. That’s our only fear, but we have no other options.”
Speaking with our correspondent, a young woman residing in the Ekeki axis of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Tarindo Mike, said she had reduced her movements due to the increase in transportation fares caused by the fuel price hike.
He said, “I’m just managing. Like today, where I used to pay N100, they now charge N150. I waited for two or three Keke before the last one carried me, and the rider said, ‘You know that fuel is high, and I’m just carrying you for N100.
“The situation is depressing. As a seller, I sample the prices of intend to buy the next day, but when I go with the money, I’m told the price has increased, and it makes me sad.”
In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, a middle-aged woman” who identified herself only as Funke said she trekked from Ring Road to the Challenge area of the city on Friday because she could not afford the high fares that motorists demanded due to the fuel price hike.
Similarly, a resident in the Odo-Ona Elewe area of Ibadan, who simply gave his name as Mr. Luku, said, “Most of the people living in this community often trek long distances to major roads where they can then board Keke Maruwa (tricycle) or Micra taxi cabs when they have business in other areas of Ibadan.
“This is how we have been trying to cope with the fuel situation since Tinubu removed the subsidy on petrol. Many people in this community don’t go out except for important reasons.”
Also, a commuter in Abia State said, “We have decided to trek so that instead of paying N400, we can now pay N300. Honestly, this fuel hike is changing the attitude of residents of the state. We now engage in trekking to cushion the effect of the hike.”
A cyclist told Chronicle NG, “I decided to fix my abandoned bicycle so I wouldn’t need to pay N400 from Douglas Road to Orji. Did you notice that passengers have resorted to trekking? There’s always a way out.”
