Transport Fare Hike in Ibadan ahead of Sallah, Lull in Ondo

Major motor parks in Ibadan have begun to witness an influx of travelers ahead of the Eid-El Kabir celebration.

Our reporter, who monitored the situation at the interstate motor parks at Challenge, Ogunpa, and  Iwo road reports that the cost of transportation in  buses  from Ibadan to Lagos, Ibadan to Shagamu, Ibadan to  Abeokuta range between 2000 to 3000 naira

While Ibadan to Abuja is 12000 naira, Ibadan to Lokoja is 8000 naira. 

 A commercial driver at Ogunpa Igboora Park, Mr Oluranti Abiodun, said the cost of transport fare was not stable due to the scarcity of petrol. He appealed to the Federal Government to look into the situation to ease the burden on travelers.

Also speaking, a park supervisor at Challenge Bus Terminal, Mr. Olanrewaju Yakubu said there was a low turnout of passengers, attributing it to activities of kidnappers on Nigerian roads, pointing out that the state of insecurity in the country was in one way or the other affecting the transport business.

The situation is not different with inter-city transportation within Ibadan as some residents who are trying to make last-minute shopping and passengers arriving in the city for the celebration are also experiencing a more than 50% rise in  transport fare

Funmilola Obagbayegun

Ondo

The usual hustle and bustle preceding the Sallah at motor parks is quite unnoticed in Akure the Ondo State capital as commuters, motorists and hawkers go about their usual business.

Radio Nigeria reporter, who visited private and government motor parks including Idanre-Park at Okearo, Roadblock, Cathedral, Old Garage, Ondo and Benin Garage as well as the Sunshine Park, observed that passengers were scanty. 

Speaking on the situation, a Sunshine Park official, Comrade Kunle Enìbà-Owoeye disclosed that the transport fare remained normal since there were few commuters on the ground to travel for Sallah.

Comrade Enìbà-Owoeye explained that Akure to Ore was 1500 naira, Akure to Ibadan, 2500 naira and Akure to Lagos 3500 naira, among other trips. 

On their part, two residents, Mrs Febisola Salako and Alhaji Taofik Nuhu enjoined government to address insecurity, the deplorable condition of the roads, frequent fuel hikes, and scarcity at filling stations.

Also, the Public Relations Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Command, Mrs Elizabeth Jayeola said its officers had been deployed across the state to avert gridlock and road carnages, aside from the zero bloodshed sensitization programme organised at Benin garage 

Meanwhile, the Chief Imam, Gbadamosi Memorial Central Mosque, Adebowale, Akure, Alhaji Jamiu Imoyomi advised Muslims to celebrate moderately considering the economic situation in the country.

Olorunferanmi Odofin