Most commuting Nigerians in Lagos were left stranded on Friday at various pick up points as fuel scarcity continues to bite harder.
The fuel scarcity had lingered for a week leaving commuters struggling to board the few vehicles available for commuting, thereby impacting negatively on economic and social life. The situation is even more distressing as activities for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration are at the peak.
For instance, the long stretch of Iyana-Oworo down to Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and inner roads were partially blocked due to few filling stations dispensing fuel to the long queue of motorists anxiously waiting to buy fuel.
There is also the issue of hike in transport fares for both intra- and interstate commuting under the guise of fuel scarcity and the volume of people going to different destinations for the Sallah holidays.
The fare from Iyana-Oworo to Berger, formerly between N200 and N300, was increased to N500, while from popular 7up Bus Stop to Mowe, formerly N300, was increased to between N600 and N700.
The interstate commuting was not left out as transport fare from Lagos to neighbouring towns like Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, formerly between N1,500 to N2,000, from Berger was increased to N4,000.
Hafiz Taofeek said the fuel and transport fare situation was taking a toll on preparations for the sallah celebrations, especially in terms of purchasing food items and moving from one location to the other.
Mr Taofeek appealed to the government to resolve the fuel crisis.
A veterinary doctor, Olakunle, said, “My experience commuting today was terrible. I was expected to keep an appointment outside Lagos, around Asese in Ogun state, and after spending three hours in the traffic, I had to turn back. I had to call my client to inform him of my decision to turn back because I won’t be able to make it down for my next trip.”
He added, “On my way back to Lagos, I spent another two hours in the traffic. Now, I am on my way to Akure for an engagement. We need the intervention of government so that the Muslim faithful can enjoy the Sallah holidays.”
Another commuter, Funmi Adegbola, said almost many inner and access roads in Lagos experienced traffic snarl.
“I had a terrible experience today. I left home around 1:30 p.m. on getting to Anthony Village, there was a downpour which caused a traffic snarl due to flash floods,” said Ms Adegbola. “It took about three hours to get to Otedola bridge from Anthony Village. Aside from the traffic, the bus fares were increased astronomically and I think this is not fair on us.”
She added, “This hardship is getting to us because almost every essential item is on the high side, things are very expensive now.”
Another commuter, Femi Adeoya mentioned that moving around Lagos had been hectic.
“Government needs to bring sanity to Lagos because things are not working as they should. The transport system in Lagos has been a mono-system. Lagos is supposed to be a megacity as claimed. But it is turning to something else, now Lagos has been ranked as the second worst city to live in the world,” Mr Adeoya complained.
He further said, “The government should review the mass transit bus arrangements which are almost collapsing. Today many commuters have been left stranded at the bus stop. In developed countries, their governments do ensure they take charge of the city transportation, but Nigeria has yet to look in such a direction.”
Another commuter, Tunde Babalola, lamented it was difficult for him to get a bus from Ikotun to Cele Bus Stop and when a bus came, it was a struggle to get into it.
At Cele, he said, it was even difficult to reach Oshodi, requiring two hours of standing at the bus stop before he could get a bus to his destination.
Sarah Ejiogu, a civil servant, said she had to get into four different buses before getting to Iganmu, her place of work.
“Ordinarily, I get a straight bus from Ikeja to Costain but today, I had to keep breaking my journey because the buses were not available and I must be at work. I took a bus from Ogba where I reside to Ikeja; another to Maryland, then to Ojuelegba and got another to Costain,” Ms Ejiogu narrated.
The civil servant added, “The drivers complained of non-availability of fuel and long queue time at the filling stations. It is becoming unbearable. Government should please help the situation.”
(NAN)
