Hardship Hits Calabar: Transport Fares Jump By 50% As Fuel Prices Rise
Things are getting tougher for residents and students in Calabar, Cross River State, as commercial drivers have hiked their fares by about 50%. This sudden change follows another increase in the pump price of petrol.
Drivers and Keke riders say they can no longer maintain old prices since petrol jumped from N950 to N1,150 per litre.
According to a source who revealed to Okene news hub, the old price from Eta Agbor to Marian/Mobile that was N200 to N300 before the fuel hike is now N250 – N350.
From Goldie to Watt Market (Keke) used to be N200 is now N250.
Calabar to Ikang (Bakassi) which is N500 is said to N1,000 as the new price.
The hike has left many people with no choice but to trek long distances.
A University of Calabar student, Anthony Bassey, shared that he had to skip school because his daily transport from the 8 Miles area jumped by an extra N200, which he can't afford.
Civil servants are crying out, stating that their "fixed salaries" can no longer cover the rising cost of getting to work. One worker in Bakassi lamented that paying N800 daily for transport is becoming impossible on current wages.
On Monday morning, several filling stations along the popular Murtala Muhammed Highway were shut down, refusing to sell to the public.
While drivers say they must increase fares to keep their businesses alive, the State Ministry of Transport has not yet released an official statement on the matter.
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