Before Wednesday’s announcement of a 50 percent cut in fares for passengers travelling via a certain number of participating transport companies, Nigerian Tribune went to town to find out the travel plans of some Nigerians this Yuletide. This is in the light of recent fuel price hikes and the removal of subsidy on petrol. RASHEED ALADEJANA presents their responses.
Oyindamola Moses, a fresh graduate and food vendor, said: “I’m supposed to travel from Akungba to Iyana Ipaja, Lagos to see my parents this Christmas and New Year and to visit my favourite uncle’s grave after he died a few days ago. Transportation fare from Akungba to Lagos is not cheap at all and it seems to deter me from going home. When I asked people travelling my way they said I should budget N12,000 to go. Meanwhile, my budget is N7,000.
Ebunoluwa Adetunji, a relationship expert, said: “Although my travelling is within Ondo State, I will travel to places like Akure, Ondo town and Ikare-Akoko. I will be visiting my parents and my siblings. I have really missed them, if not, I won’t just be stressing myself to go home because the transport fare is just way too much. Before, if I had N3,000, I would use it to go home and return back to my base. But now, even if I have N8,000 it won’t be enough to travel to and fro. The removal of fuel subsidy and increase in fuel price has really affected us as Nigerians. I am in a country where I will be thinking of fuel prices, and at the same time, thinking of security. A few days ago, one of my family friends got kidnapped. The kidnappers are demanding some ransom, we are pleading with the government to find a means to reduce the price of fuel and also help to combat insecurity, so that the safety of travellers would be guaranteed.
Ale Ireayo, a female commuter from Akure to Lagos, said: “I am from Ekiti, but my family is based in Lagos. Currently, I am based in Akure, but it has been over a year since I saw my family members. Last year, I had my Christmas and New Year without my family which has never happened. I was complaining about the transport fare then, not knowing that this year would be worse. But it is a journey which I must embark on even though the transport fare is choking. I have to bear it because I already promised them that I would be with them to celebrate Christmas and New Year. I won’t let the hike in fuel price stop me from having fun with my family.”
Longe Olusayo is a photographer. He said, “I planned to travel to enjoy Christmas and New Year with my family, but the way it is now, it is not certain. The cost of transportation this season is disheartening and I am sure it will not let some families enjoy the presence of their loved ones. I am concerned. I cannot imagine spending over N30,000, unlike before that even if I have N10,000 it will take me to Lagos and return me to Idanre. To me, going home for Christmas and New Year is really not important though.”
Opeyemi Ogunleye is an intern broadcaster. She said, “I will definitely travel this festive period because I miss home. I am travelling from Akure to Ekiti. I am actually aware of the hike in transport fare. My budget is N3,500 for now. I am hoping it shouldn’t be more than this when I get to the park though.”
Murphy Kutelu Balogun said, “The transport fares these days are killing, but I still have to embark on the journey because not enjoying the season with my family is not what I love to experience. That is why I have made sure nothing is stopping me.”
Blessing Adojutelegan is a student. She said, “I will be travelling from Ogbomoso to Akungba Akoko, Ondo State. I will be travelling back home to enjoy Christmas and New Year with my family because I have been away from them for over a year. I can’t wait to see them because I have really missed them. My budget for the journey is outrageous to be sincere because it is even four times what it used to be but what can we do but to plead with our government?”
Ayomide Akinnawo is a financial market analyst and trader. He said, “I don’t really have many plans for travelling. But I’ll be travelling from Ondo State to Osun State. The sole purpose of the travelling is to have a personal and quality time for my end-of-the-year retreat with God as I do annually. I am aware of the hike in the cost of transportation but my budget is over a 100 percent in addition to the usual rate. I don’t travel as I used to because of the fare.”
Paul Ariyo is an artist. He said, “I travel quite a lot for official purposes, especially for businesses across the country. But most of the times, all the money we charge our clients ends up on transportation which is very saddening. For this Christmas and New Year, I will be travelling from Warri to Ondo State just to spend Christmas and the New Year with my family because it has been a long while since I set my eyes on them. I am aware of the surge in transportation fees, but I don’t have a choice but to go because I put family first. My budget for the journey is above N15,000 unlike before, when even if I have N5,000, it would take me to and fro. I just have to travel because I feel homesick.”
Mercy Adeosun, a student, said “I am travelling right now because it is expedient to embark on the journey. After all, I am in my final year in school so if I didn’t travel to go and meet my parents and have a nice time with them, there might not be a chance again. I am not a frequent traveller because my school is far from home. The hike in transportation did not affect me because the one I normally take is far higher than what I met in the park.”
Adeyinka Mary, a public servant, and businesswoman, said: “I am travelling for Christmas and New Year because I have really missed my people at home. I will be travelling from Abuja to Ikare. My budget before was around N8,000 and it will be enough for the whole journey to and fro. But this year, I have already budgeted N25,000 and I am praying that it will be enough.”
Ajayi Oluwashina is an entrepreneur. He said, “I can’t miss Christmas and New Year with my family at all. So, I am travelling from Abeokuta to Sango Otta in Ogun State to meet my family. I am fully aware of the hike in the price of transportation, but Abeokuta to Sango Otta is still friendly though it is high.”
A commercial driver, Abe Fasasi, is the chairman Kabba unit in Lokoja who carries passengers from Lokoja to Akure. He said: “People are not even traveling as they used to. Some passengers will come to us pleading for price reduction and we have no choice but to reduce the price for them. Though after the price reduction, we as drivers find it hard to even eat because all the money we made will be spent on fuel. After we buy fuel, we will have nothing left. To deliver returns to vehicle owners is hard. We just want the government to do something because this is not the kind of Christmas and New Year that we wished for.”
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