In the wake of the recent hike in petrol prices, transportation costs within Kaduna metropolis have skyrocketed, leaving residents struggling with the increased burden of commuting. Many are finding it difficult to cope with the rising fares, which have nearly doubled across the city.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NNPC Ltd Retail Management approved an increase in the pump price of petrol from N617 per litre to N897 per litre, effective September 3. This significant jump in fuel prices has triggered an immediate ripple effect on transportation costs.
A survey by NAN on Wednesday revealed that fares for commercial tricycles (Keke) and motorcycles have spiked. For instance, a trip from the central market to Sabo, which used to cost N300, now costs N500. Similarly, journeys from the central market to Barnawa and Narayi have jumped from N250 to N400.
Other routes have seen similar increases: Gonin Gora to Kasuwa now costs N500, up from N300; Kakuri to Kasuwa has risen from N300 to N400; and Kasuwa to Kawo now stands at N300, previously N200.
Residents who spoke to NAN expressed frustration over the increased transportation costs, which have affected their daily lives. Commercial operators, too, are feeling the pressure, citing the rising fuel prices and long queues at petrol stations as reasons for the fare hike.
Malam Abubakar Sa’idu, a tricycle operator, noted that fuel scarcity and long wait times at filling stations were forcing many to purchase petrol on the black market at inflated prices—up to N1,400 per litre. He said, “Passengers understand the situation; we all know how difficult things have become. Even with the higher fares, we are struggling to make ends meet as fewer people are commuting.”
Similarly, Mr. Dajuma Musa, a commercial motorcycle operator, explained that he now prefers to stay at strategic locations to pick up passengers rather than roam around in search of them due to the high cost of petrol. “It’s tough to keep up, but we have no choice if we want to make a living,” he added.
For residents like Mrs. Abigail Adams from Barnawa, the transportation cost surge has become a major financial strain. “I now spend at least N1,200 daily just to get to and from work on my modest salary. It’s unsustainable, and I urge the government to reconsider the petrol price hike and expedite the payment of the new national minimum wage,” she said.
Mr. Haruna Dauda, a resident of Ungwan Romi, shared concerns about how families would manage as schools reopen. “Parents with three or four children face a tough situation, not just with transport costs, but also feeding and school fees. This is a crisis, and it’s likely to worsen.”
The situation in Kaduna underscores the broader impact of rising fuel prices on everyday life, with residents calling on the government to provide relief and address the growing economic pressures they face.
