Few Vehicles On Roads In Onitsha Over Hike In Fuel Price
By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha
The alleged hike in the pump price of fuel has forced most vehicles out of the roads in Onitsha and its environs, Anambra State, thereby resulting in business activities being partially paralyzed.
Commercial drivers who manage to hit the roads charge exorbitant transport fares having bought per litre of fuel between #320 to #350 and at black market #400.
In a swift reaction, a driver in a private transport company in Onitsha who pleaded anonymity hinted that for one week now they have been indoors as the management of his company said that until the situation improved, they should remain indoors.
” They told us to remain indoors until the situation improved, that they don’t have that money to throw away in the name of procuring fuel to convey wares and passengers to their destinations.
“I have worked with the company for 20 years as a driver. I can understand her plight because passengers don’t even agree to pay the fare we charge them. Federal Government should be held responsible for the plights of Nigerians.
“The petroleum we produce is refined outside Nigeria and brought back to us to buy. Is it not madness. Those voting for APC should be ready to suffer same fate if it returns to power”, he posited.
A trader at Onitsha main market, Chief Ephraim Omale stated that the traders always carry the bulk of any crisis that cropt up pointing out that they are most affected by the hike in pump price of fuel.
Explaining further he said that the numerical strength of their customers has been drastically reduced by the increase in the pump price of fuel and that the traders also pay exorbitant fares to and from their houses.
” We are also affected because you have few customers pursing lots of wares as a result of the fuel increase and there is no hope of Federal Government to curtail this problem. In some States the fuel is not even seen let alone the price.
“Let the present administration leave us alone, let it go, 25th February is still far. All of those in this administration are corrupt, selfish and God will not let them go scot-free. They put us in this sad situation,” he fumed.
Meanwhile the trunk A’ roads in the State look deserted as most of the inter state vehicles are off the roads even as intra city buses that ply to and from Onitsha Main market, charge exorbitant fares.
Consequently, most traders trek on daily basis, waking up as early as 6am to their different markets and trek back at the close of markets to avoid paying through their nose.
