Travellers are facing mounting pressure due to the surge in Lagos-Owerri bus fares, reaching as high as N26,000.

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“Rising Transport Fares Dampen Travel Enthusiasm for Nigerians”

Many Nigerians are expressing increasing skepticism about traveling from their home states to other parts of the country for business and other engagements due to the exorbitant transport fares for road trips lasting one week. This surge in interstate transport fares began in early June following the removal of fuel subsidies, resulting in a drastic increase in the petrol pump price from N195 per liter to as high as N617 per liter.

A recent visit to departure terminals of some well-known interstate transporters revealed that travelers, who previously paid between N11,500 and N12,500 per trip during the off-season, are now faced with charges between N26,000 and N33,500 for a one-week journey from one state to another, representing a significant increase of over 100 percent.

For example, according to the official online portal of GUO Transport Company, a traveler is expected to pay up to N33,500 for a seat on a Sienna car and N26,000 for a Hiace bus on a trip from Lagos to Owerri. Similarly, a bus ticket from Lagos to Abuja now costs as much as N33,000, and from Lagos to Port Harcourt, it’s N27,000. Other mobility companies like God is Good Motors have also raised their prices substantially, with tickets from Aba to Lagos going for N26,000, Uyo-Lagos for N28,300, Asaba-Lagos for N25,000, and Edo-Lagos for N21,300.

This steep rise in transportation costs is putting tremendous pressure on travelers and families, especially those with children schooling in other regions of the country. Families residing in Lagos, for instance, but with children studying in universities located in the South-East or South-South regions are now burdened with significantly higher transportation expenses.

The impact of the transportation cost hike is also being felt by businesses, making it challenging for businessmen and women to embark on longer journeys. The economic hardship and high cost of living are causing concern and frustration among Nigerians, who struggle to manage their daily expenses amidst these challenges.

Furthermore, President Bola Tinubu’s administration may consider creating new ministries or restructuring existing ones from the ministerial list submitted to the National Assembly. This step is being taken to optimize the allocation of portfolios to nominees, ensuring efficiency and the best use of resources. While the first batch of 28 ministerial nominees has already undergone personal screenings by the President, another batch comprising around 12 to 13 names will be forwarded to the Senate in the coming days for further consideration.

However, it’s noted that the President chose not to attach specific portfolios to the nominees in the letter to the Senate to allow for flexibility in case of any changes or adjustments.

Overall, the economic challenges and increasing transportation costs are having significant implications for various aspects of Nigerian society, prompting concerns among citizens about the future and the overall cost of living in the country.

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