By Beatrice Ori
As Nigeria continues in the euphoria of her 64th Independence celebration, some citizens have lamented the increasing cost of transportation, food items and survival. Inflation and devaluation of the Naira are fingered as the root cause.
Residents of Calabar, Cross River State who shares the brunt of the harsh economic reality, shared their divergent views when CrossRiverWatch’s Correspondent took the mic to the streets and markets in the State capital.
According to Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), as of today October 3rd, 2024, the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) better known as fuel is sold at N770.54, Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) stands at N1379.48, National Household Kerosene (NHK) garners at N1769.86 while Liquefied Petroleum Gas 5Kg (LPG) is N5974.55.
Statistics from the Bureau has an unemployment rate of 5.3%, underemployment 10.6%, youth unemployment 8.4% and youth under employment 15.2%.
“We can’t afford to transport our goods to the market anymore. We find it difficult because the price the drivers charge us is too high,” said an angry trader, Mrs. Ekpe.
A commercial driver, Mr. Uche Chukwe said: “When I joined this business of driving, fuel was about six hundred Naira then but now I buy about 850-910 Naira nine hundred. If you look at the whole nation today, it’s not just the transportation fare that is high. Some of the drivers feed their family from here. Again, even if the price of fuel comes down today things will still be high because the maintenance of every vehicle is very high.”
A passenger, Mr. Moses Bassey while lamenting the cost of transportation and other commodities, urged the government to reduce the cost of fuel, which will in turn reduce prices of items. “The government needs to reduce the price of fuel. If you go to buy a few things, what you will hear will even pursue you. They will not pay high transportation and sell at a very low price.”
A student of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), identified as Cobham, expressed displeasure on the amount he spends weekly and monthly in transportation.
“It is very very uncomfortable because if you check like 3 years ago or less, I used to pay N200 or even N150 because I live at Marian.
“But today I’m spending N400 just to come to school and going back I still pay N400. Sometimes I have to negotiate with the driver. They will agree and sometimes will not and refer me to President Tinubu to reduce fuel price.
“In a day you can see that I spend N800 X five days a week X a month X 4 years program. Beyond transportation, look at the price of food stuff in the market. It is alarming. The government needs to enforce and regulate fuel prices.”
A tricycle rider, Shedrack on his part said they need to increase price in order to pay up their higher purchase tricycle and also remain in business.
