Travel decline due to rising fuel prices
The crisis in the transport industry in Nigeria
Rising fuel prices in Nigeria are having a significant impact on the transportation industry. According to Malam Bature Suleiman, Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport (NURTW) in the state, the transport industry is facing serious consequences due to rising fuel prices, leading to a decline in passenger numbers. .
Travel has become a luxury that many people can no longer afford. Bus stations are now overrun with vehicles desperately waiting for passengers. People now prefer to send messages to their loved ones rather than reaching them in person.
In addition to rising fuel prices, drivers face other challenges such as poor road conditions and unfavorable transport sector policies. The multiplication of taxes to which members of the Union are subject is also a source of concern. The drivers work without receiving any real benefits.
According to Malam Bature Suleiman, drivers’ incomes are now much lower than before. He asks the authorities to review the taxes imposed on drivers to enable them to cope with economic difficulties. He also points out that the number of road accidents decreased by 40% in 2023, an improvement he attributes to road maintenance in the state.
It is clear that rising fuel prices are having a negative impact on the transportation industry in Nigeria. Drivers find themselves in a difficult situation, losing customers and making very little profit. It is crucial that the authorities take their situation into account in order to propose appropriate solutions. In the meantime, travelers must adapt to this new reality and consider other means of communicating with loved ones until the situation improves.