NIFEMI PETERS IBADAN – A wave of hardship has swept through Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as commuters and motorists grapple with a sudden and sharp increase in transportation fares. The spike comes on the heels of a fresh upward adjustment in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), leaving many residents stranded and others forced to trek to their destinations. Findings by our correspondent on Sunday morning revealed that the price of petrol has climbed significantly across various filling stations in the metropolis, with some independent marketers selling for as high as ₦1,100 to ₦1,200 per liter. The impact of the fuel hike was immediate on the streets of Ibadan. Residents reported that short-distance trips that previously cost ₦200 have now jumped to ₦400, representing a 100% increase. Mr. Tayo, a resident who spoke with our reporter, expressed bitterness over the development. “The situation is becoming unbearable. Moving from one point to another within the city now feels like a luxury. Transporters have doubled their fares because the fuel price has soared. An average short distance that used to be ₦200 is now ₦300 or ₦400. How are we expected to survive this?” Commercial drivers have defended the fare hike, citing the high cost of operations and the difficulty in sourcing fuel. Mr. Waheed, a transporter plying the Iwo Road–Egbeda axis, noted that the recent price adjustments by the NNPC and the Dangote Refinery left them with no choice but to shift the burden to passengers. “We buy fuel at over ₦1,000 per liter now. When you consider the time spent in queues and the cost of maintenance, we cannot afford to charge the old rates and still feed our families,” Waheed explained. The current scarcity and price volatility follow reports that the NNPC and Dangote Refinery have both adjusted their prices upward. While the official “pumping price” hovers around the ₦1,000 mark at major outlets, the reality on the ground in Ibadan shows a much higher cost at independent stations, which many drivers rely on to keep their vehicles moving. As the “groaning” continues, both commuters and transport unions have made an impassioned plea to the Federal Government to intervene. They are calling for immediate measures to stabilize the price of petroleum products and provide sustainable palliatives to cushion the effect of the inflation on the masses. For now, the streets of Ibadan remain tense, with fewer commercial vehicles on the road and a growing number of residents resorting to “leg-work” as the only affordable means of movement. Post navigation Peter obi officially dumps Labour Party picks up adc card in agulu homecoming! PDP Crisis Deepens as Appeal Court Sacks Turaki-led NWC, Upholds Ibadan Convention Nullification
