By Olawale Asake

With a few hours to Christmas Celebration,  Nigerians have expressed worry over the possibility of travelling to their ancestral homes due to the rising cost of transport fares and issues of insecurity in some parts of the Country.

During a visit by a Radio Nigeria Ibadan reporter to some major motor parks in Ibadan, Oyo State, some interstate travellers revealed that transport fares had nearly doubled compared to last year.

A trip from Ibadan to Lagos, which was formerly between #2,500 and #3,500, now costs between #4,500 and #6,000 depending on the type of Vehicle, its quality and distance within the city.

One of the travellers, Mrs Moriliat Adepoju, said she forced herself to embark on the trip because of the family programmes lined up for this festive period in her hometown.

She called on the Federal government to urgently address the current economic hardship facing the people.

Another trader travelling to the Southeast Region, Mr Chukwudi John, maintained that though he had decided to travel, the high cost of transportation gave him serious concern, hence he left his family in Ibadan to go alone.

While speaking with some residents in Ibadan on whether they would travel,  they said unless the economy improved, they might consider staying put in their places of residence for moderate celebrations.

Two drivers, Mr. Seun Ogunyinka and Mr. Tunde Owokoniran attributed the little increment in the fares to the high cost of motor parts and petrol. 

While acknowledging the fact that many petrol stations were reducing their pump price per litre, the transporters stressed the need for more reduction in the interest of the public.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government announced free train rides for the public during the Christmas and New Year periods as well as a 50 percent reduction in Interstate road transportation to ease financial burdens on travellers.

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