Some residents in Borno State have opted to either trekking or moving around with bicycles and horses amid the increase in the prices of fuel nationwide.
On Tuesday, September 3, the pump price was increased frpm N617 to N855 per litre at NNPC fuel stations, with the prices varying across locations.
Following the nationwide increase, many residents and workers, including civil servants in Borno State, have abandoned their vehicles.
According to Punch, on Thursday, September 5, there were less vehicles on the road and more pedestrians, including horse and bicycle riders on major roads.
One of the pedestrians, Dadoon Pam, who is a graphic designer, said: “This fuel price hike has affected me terribly because as a graphic designer, I need electricity to make my design. Now that we depend solely on fuel to work, this increase means I now have to charge my clients more. Though it will be bad for business, I don’t have any option as we speak.”
A woman who works with a Non-Governmental Organisation in Maiduguri, Jeremiah Blessing, said: “What I do now is to break my movement, trek to a point, then take Keke from there. Since the hike in fuel prices, it has not been easy because I go to work late almost every day. Sometimes, I stand up to 10 to 30 minutes before seeing a tricycle going towards my direction because many riders have packed their tricycle due to the price increase.”
Another resident who is a retired Customs officer, Tuja Mai Abba, said he has abandoned his vehicle for commercial tricycles.
According to him, “The government is confusing us about this issue of fuel subsidy and availability. You hear one story today and another story tomorrow. It is seriously affecting me, I have abandoned my car for a while now.”
A member of an NGO, Daniel Omolara, said, “Since I brought my car down to Maiduguri, I have never for one day left it at home to go to work. But today, if I try to drive that car out, I may push it back home. There is no money to buy fuel at that rate. Honestly, N5,000 fuel can no longer take me a day. Where will I be getting such money from?”
