What may likely happen in Kwara after fuel scarcity

 

As fuel scarcity bites harder, the transport situation got worse in Ilorin, Kwara state and transport fare has increased by more than 200 percent for both inter and intra city transport.

Residents of the state have expressed grieves over the unbearable amount of money they spent daily for transportation due to the lingering fuel scarcity that has affected their daily lives.

However, the commercial drivers may likely not lesser the transport fares after the end of the prevailing fuel scarcity in Kwara state.

Queues Okin Oloja Venture Limited, Along Sango Road, Ilorin, Kwara State

A motorist, Ibrahim Aliu, who spoke with KWASU Online, said that commercial drivers may not charge lesser after the end of fuel scarcity in the state.

According to him, "The money we are spending to maintain our vehicle is becoming unbearable as the price of spare parts and other things are inflating on a daily basis. Apart from fuel scarcity, the price of engine oil and spare parts has trippled over the time."

Ali said, “The present increase in the transport fare is not deliberately caused by commercial drivers. We calculate the fare based on what we have spent on vehicle maintenance and the price of petrol that we buy from the black market.

“Today, I bought five litres of petrol from black market at the rate N2000 which is N400 per litre." He added.

Queues at Oando Filling State, Ajase Ipo Road, Offa Garage, Ilorin.

A tricycle rider who pleaded anonymity also told our correspondent that he is pleased with the increment in the fare. 

He added that, "Since Nigerians have been battling with fuel scarcity, it has been very profitable to us. At least, most of us are making a very reasonable amount of money on a daily basis unlike before that we charge lesser amount for short distance trip."

Our correspondent also learnt that, many petrol stations locked the gates of their outlets with only Bovas and NNPC stations selling fuel to motorists at the control price of N162 per liter amidst long queues.

It was also gathered that fuel was being sold at between N350 to N500 per litre in some other petrol stations, also operating as black market sellers at night.

In Ilorin metropolis, commercial vehicles now charge between N100 and N150 for short distance trip instead of N50 fare previously charged while intercity journey from Ilorin to Offa and Omu-Aran now cost between N800 to N1000 and N1,500 respectively instead of N400 and N800 being previously charged.