The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) in Niger State have announced significant increases in transport fares, citing the sharp rise in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and the soaring cost of vehicle parts. This development follows the recent fuel price hike, which has put immense pressure on transportation operators across the country.
Speaking in separate interviews on Thursday in Minna, union leaders emphasized that the fare adjustments were necessary to keep their operations viable amidst the escalating costs of fuel and vehicle maintenance. The price increases have already begun to affect routes connecting major cities and towns in the region, placing additional financial burdens on commuters.
Malam Ibrahim Musa, Chairman of NURTW Branch III at Abdulsalami Abubakar Garage in Minna, explained that the fare for the Minna-Abuja route has been raised from N6,000 to N7,000, while the Minna-Kaduna fare has surged from N6,500 to N8,000. He clarified that these adjustments were not intended to exploit passengers but were a direct response to the economic realities facing the transport sector.
“We have raised the transport fare from Minna to Abuja by N1,000, and from Minna to Kaduna by N1,500. This is not an attempt to take advantage of passengers but a necessary measure to cope with the recent hike in fuel prices and the rising cost of vehicle parts,” Musa stated.
In addition, he mentioned that fares from Minna to Zuba and Diko, which were previously N3,500 and N3,000, have now increased to N4,000 and N3,500, respectively. Musa expressed concern over the long-term sustainability of the transport sector if the current trends continue, urging both the Federal and State governments to intervene and address the factors driving the increase in operational costs.
“Our fear is that if nothing is done to stabilize fuel prices and vehicle part costs, many transport operators could be forced out of business, which will create further disruptions in the transport system,” he warned.
Similarly, Abubakar Ndanusa, Chairman of TOAN in Niger State, echoed Musa’s concerns. He noted that the tricycle operators were feeling the impact of the rising fuel prices just as acutely, as many of them rely on PMS to power their vehicles. Ndanusa explained that the cost of maintaining tricycles has significantly increased, with spare parts becoming more expensive and harder to find.
“The cost of maintaining tricycles has skyrocketed. It is not just fuel; we are also facing higher prices for spare parts. Many of our members are struggling to keep their tricycles on the road,” Ndanusa said.
