S’East commuters lament fare hikes, delays at a number of checkpoints

Commuters in Imo and Abia, who’re touring for Christmas and different non-public functions, have expressed deep concern over the sharp hike in ticket costs by carriers.

Additionally they lamented the lengthy journey instances and stress brought on by the quite a few army and police checkpoints stationed shut to one another alongside totally different routes within the southeastern states.

A cross-section of individuals interviewed by the Information Company of Nigeria expressed frustration, noting that they’re spending extra time on the highway than traditional as a result of a number of checkpoints.

Passenger drivers additionally claimed that they had been blackmailed by officers manning the checkpoints.

A business automobile driver, Mr. Charles Agolono, who operates on the Owerri-Aba route, complained that the journey, which was presupposed to final 40 minutes, now takes about two hours as a consequence of avoidable delays at checkpoints.

Likewise, Mr Ogochukwu Okye, who drives the Owerri-Umuahia route, famous that the continuing highway reconstruction by the Federal Authorities is hampering the sleek movement of site visitors, particularly with extra automobiles on the highway throughout Christmas.

Okye added that cash spent on “settlement” of army and cops at checkpoints is usually included within the fare by transport unions.

“The cash we spend at checkpoints is handed on to passengers, thus growing the fare,” he stated.

Vacationers from Owerri to Enugu and Port Harcourt additionally complained that the quite a few checkpoints had been inflicting delays.

Ms. Chinwendo Ojo stated the scenario exposes passengers to pointless dangers and inhumane remedy, with passengers typically having to disembark and stroll by means of army checkpoints.

Mr Chukwudi Okeke, a traveler, stated the checkpoints had change into a “cash sink” for purchasers, reasonably than serving as safety measures to forestall crime.

“These brokers are not often in a position to stop crimes from occurring, as a result of even the criminals pay the value and proceed on their means,” Okeke stated.

Different vacationers criticized the excessive costs, particularly from Owerri to Lagos and Abuja.

Transport firms like Peace Mass Transit and ABC now cost between 23,000 and 25,000 naira from Owerri to Lagos and between 35,000 and 38,000 naira to Abuja.

Costs from Owerri to Port Harcourt rose to between N5,500 and N17,300, relying on the kind of automobile, whereas costs to Aba and Umuahia additionally elevated from N2,500 to N3,000 and from N3,000 to N4,000. , respectively.

In Apia, commuters and business automobile drivers face comparable fare hikes and delays as a consequence of a number of checkpoints.

Driver Sunday Emetoh, who operates the Umuahia-Ohafia highway, famous that the poor situation of the highway, which is presently present process rehabilitation by the state authorities, is the primary challenge.

Emitoh stated the dilapidated highway compelled drivers to take different routes, resulting in additional delays. He additionally linked a current deadly accident on the highway to the poor situation of the highway.

“We haven’t any different downside in the intervening time, as neither the military nor the police trouble us,” Emitoh stated.

For Theophilus Onyeze, a driver on the Umuahia-Owerri highway, the “modus operandi” at army checkpoints causes lengthy delays starting from half-hour to an hour.

“The joint safety staff is stopping youths from automobiles, inflicting delays starting from half-hour to 2 hours,” Onyeze stated.

Passengers like Ndubuisi Iheme, touring from Umuahia to Aba, famous that the fare had elevated from 1,500 naira to 2,000 naira for a 45-minute journey as a result of prolonged checkpoints.

He added, “Ineffective interplay with drivers by checkpoint personnel results in lengthy delays.”

Authorities worker Promise Kanu complained that the value hike had contributed to the excessive value of products and providers, as merchants in Umuahia typically get their items from Aba.

“Rising costs enhance the price of residing,” Cano stated. “This will probably be mirrored within the costs of products and providers.”

One of many residents, Mr. Ibabuchi Jerry Jab, fears that many individuals will be unable to journey to their villages for Christmas as a result of excessive costs.

“I traveled to Arochukwu from Umuahia for 7,000 naira, above common
“N4,000 and N5,000,” Jerry Jab stated, including that some would-be vacationers had been left stranded once they realized their budgets had been inadequate.

He urged the federal government to offer buses at sponsored costs in the course of the Christmas and New Yr celebrations.

Gerry Japp additionally known as on the federal authorities to reinstate gas subsidies to assist scale back the price of residing.

The mom of 4, who requested to stay nameless, stated she was requested to pay 6,500 naira for her fare to Abakaliki, along with 2,000 naira for her baggage.

“The outrageous costs this season are disappointing,” she stated.
Many holidaymakers described the scenario as “irritating” and “unacceptable”, and blamed drivers for the value hike, which they felt was unjustified, regardless of the slight drop in petrol costs.

Regardless of the excessive costs, many individuals had been seen in several parks in Umuahia getting ready to journey for Christmas.

On the Peace Complete Transport Park on Amwaya Highway, would-be passengers had been seen getting ready for his or her journeys.

A fare from Umuahia to Onitsha now prices 5,600 naira, whereas a visit to Asaba prices 6,600 naira, up from 4,500 naira and 5,500 naira respectively.

The fare from Umuahia to Enugu and Lagos is now N5,600 and N26,000 respectively.

A passenger sure for Enugu, Mr Greg Orji, stated excessive transport fares had been making it tough for folks to journey with their households for Christmas.

“Regardless of the rise in costs, folks nonetheless have to journey for Christmas. Nevertheless, many won’t go together with their households as a result of excessive prices.”

The motive force, Mr. Nathaniel Okoye, who runs the Umuahia-Onitsha and Enugu routes, attributed the value hike to the rise in gas costs following the removing of subsidies.

“Drivers shouldn’t be blamed for the value hike. We really feel the ache too,” Okoye stated, explaining that the value of gas had solely fallen barely from between 1,100 and 1,120 naira to between 1,070 and 1,080 naira per litre.

He stated that this slight discount was not sufficient to considerably scale back transportation costs.

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