Port Harcourt is experiencing  high human and vehicular traffic as residents of the state travel to various destinations for the Christmas celebration.
At Waterlines, throngs of travelers besieged bus terminals and scrambled for the few available vehicles loading to various routes.
At Eleme junction there was similar experience as travelers stood around in clusters with their loads and baggage, trying to outwit one another to enter loading vehicles.
The Tide also observed that the regular traffic gridlock on ‘major roads in the city heightened as long queues of vehicles were spotted on roads such as, Elekahia, Trans Amadi, Trans Woji, Port Harcourt-Aba Express road, among others, resulting in many people trekking to their destination.
A pedestrian, comfort Amadi who spoke with The Tide, said she spent over one hour at Garrison Bus Stop without getting a vehicle to slaughter, adding that she had no alternative than to trek.
A commercial motorist, Mr. Akanimo Udosen, who spoke with our Correspondents, said the situation started with an earlier signal of fuel scarcity, as a result of the threat of strike by PENGASSAN.
Akanimo said most commercial motorists have parked their vehicles adding that only those hustling for Christmas were on the roads.
Some commuters have taken advantage of the situation to exploit travelers, by hiking the prices of transportation.
For instance, a journey from Port Harcourt to Bori which previously cost N300 for bus and N500 for taxi respectively, now cost N400 and N600.
Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN) in Rivers State, Comrade Sunny Nkpe who spoke with The Tide in an interview said IPMAN was ensuring sufficient distribution and monitoring of Petroleum Product during this Yuletide to avert fuel scarcity.
He cautioned against hoarding of Petroleum products to ensure ease of transportation during this festive period.

Tenah Beemene