Transporters operating from Port Harcourt to other states  and local government areas in Rivers State have hiked fares by 100 per cent, blaming it on the removal of oil subsidy by the Federal Government and urged the Presidency to have a rethink of the action in the interest of the masses.

Some commercial drivers who spoke with The Tide correspondent at some motor parks in Port Harcourt yesterday  said they had no alternative than to hike the transport fares  inorder  to meet up with the high cost of fuel, as the  dealers  have currently  adjusted their pump prices astronomically.

A driver, Baba Kekere Adiogun, who plies Port Harcourt to Bayelsa State said it was unbelievable  that the people of this country would wake-up on a New Year  day and have a shocker that the Federal Government had removed the oil subsidy, which they said would take place in April this year, and appealed to the government to ensure that price of fuel is  reduced  as passengers are suffering as well as affecting the drivers in their daily account.

Adiogun  however said passengers were paying N800.00 to Bayelsa, but now it is N1,500.00.

Mr. Michael Okon, a driver plying Port Harcourt to Calabar, Cross Rivers State had this to say, “government should look into the removal of oil subsidy which had made the price of fuel to increase because it has made transportation of goods and services to be high, increase in market prices, house rent, and everything. “So many people will be affected and I  called on the Federal Government to   help  the poor  masses  who are at the receiving end.”

He disclosed that the transport fare to Calabar was N1,300 before but it had been increased to  N2,000, while Samuel Okon of Ukanafun  line said they charged N700 before now, but due to  pump price increase, they have increased the fares to N1,300, appealing to the government  to dialogue with stakeholders and bring down the price so that they could  also reduce  the fare.

In his view, Mr. Gideon Okafor, a driver of Umuahia route said before passengers were paying  N600 but they had decided to increase it to N1,000 because of the increase in fuel and called on the Federal Government to consider the suffering masses. He said he was feeling for some passengers because  as some who were about to travel could not, because of the increase in fare and hinted that there are some who travelled to their countryside (Umuahia) could not come back as the fare is now N2,000.

Within  Rivers State, a driver with Sam Jaja Foundation plying Port Harcourt to Bori, Khana Local Government Area, Lawrence Duru said it is annoying that the federal government would at this time take such a decision that could jeopardise the country once again and urged that things should be normalise because  passengers now pay N500 instead of N250, and that he felt for them as most of them are now complaining bitterly.

Ezekiel Peter, a driver to Asarama, Andoni Local Government Area said the transport fare was N500 before it was increased to N700 as fuel prize increases, saying  it is a terrible  thing and the highest increase governments in the past have made. “It is painful to pay N2,900 for a 20 litre of fuel and fill my motor  tank with  over N5,000.  What account can I give to the owner after  commission, Police on the road and other expenses, he lamented, adding that “I have not heard from any country that sells fuel N140.00 per litre in the world. It is unfortunate as prices of goods and services had already increased.

Also commenting, Mr. Eze Henry of Omoku line in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA  said they are the only drivers in Boro Park fly-over that charges the lowest  fare of N800 as against  N600 while to Ahoada was N600 but now N700, and if the price of fuel is reduced, they are ready to bring down their f are.

Meanwhile, some individuals have also added their  voice on the removal of oil subsidy by the federal government.

Mr. Brownson  Beesor expressed dismay and said if organised labour could not take a bold step on the matter, then it would bring a very big problem in the country as civil servants  and some poor masses who before  now could not afford three square meals a day would badly be affected,  and called  on the government to consider the plight of the people and also repair the refineries.

A man of God,  Pastor Chinedu Ndubuisi of Presence of God Ministry said, “we pray God to use him but we are surprised for his new year  package, which  is alarming. People  are feeling very   bad and after few weeks when civil  servants are broke, it will be terrible. As people regard him as God sent, he should do everything to bring normalcy in the country as the spirit of God is on him  and  all eyes on him to revert the fuel pump price to N65.00 per litre.

In his contribution,  the vice chairman, secretary of Mobile Ministers Association (MMA), Rev, Ubong Anietie has this to say, “Actually, the vision  of President  Goodluck Jonathan  was to bring new development to the country but his action now has affected the masses, so he should do a little adjustment to favour the people.

Due to the removal of fuel subsidy, school fees will be  increased as well as House rent, foodstuffs, building materials transportation and so on, let Government do some adjustment on the price  and also ensure money realised  from the subsidy is well utilised. Let the Boko Haram not use this to divide  the country or intimitdate the southerners, as we pray for President Jonathan for  God to give him wisdom, understanding, courage  and guidance.

Collins Barasimeye