Fuel Scarcity: Union Set To Increase Boat Fare In Rivers

Following the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, across the country and subsequent increase in pump price, Boat Owners’ Association of Nigeria (BOAN) may increase transport fare soon in Rivers State.
The union explained that this is sequel to the difficulty in getting petrol, and the increase in pump price per litre, which had increased from N165 per litre to between N200 and N250.
Disclosing this in an interview in Port Harcourt, the Marine Safety Officer and member of BOAN, Comrade Kins Dimkpa said the union may be forced to hike the transport fare in the state, if the fuel scarcity persists.
“Most of our boat drivers do not have fuel to work. We use petrol every day in our operations and now we buy at a high pump price of  N200 to N250 per litre”, Dimkpa said.
He noted that passengers travelling from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island still pay N2,200 per person, but expressed the possibility of an increase in fares.
“We may hike the transport fare soon, if the scarcity continues. We charge N2,200 per passenger since Christmas as boat fare from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island.
“But going by this continuous fuel scarcity and increase in pump rate, we may increase our charges in no distant time”, he said.
Dimkpa called on the Federal Government and States to assist  and make the product available to the end users.
He also appealed to the supervising ministries and parastatals to revert to the pump price of N160 per litre in order to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.

Story By: Chinedu Wosu