Abuja: Many civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) say the increase in the pump price of petrol has raised transportation fares and put additional pressure on their livelihoods.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the current petrol price, which has surged from between N1,180 and N1,350 to between N1,388 and N1,450 per litre, has triggered a wave of financial strain among workers in Abuja. Mrs. Falmata Musa mentioned that her daily transportation costs have risen from N2,500 to N3,500, affecting her household budget significantly.
Mrs. Comfort Abegunde echoed similar sentiments, stating that the increased petrol prices have forced her to allocate funds originally intended for food and household needs to cover transportation expenses. She also noted that rising fuel costs have led to inflated food prices and forced some car owners to resort to public transport.
Mr. Olamide Ibrahim shared his struggles, explaining that he used to carry passengers to earn extra money for fuel. However, with the recent hike, his daily fuel costs have escalated from N24,000 to N33,500, prompting him to stop driving to work.
Muhammad Lawal expressed his concerns over managing monthly salaries amidst the ongoing rise in living costs. His transportation expenses have increased, leaving him with less money for essential needs like food and utility bills.
Another civil servant, Shim Felix, detailed how the petrol price hike has severely impacted his daily income, with transportation costs consuming a significant portion of his budget. He highlighted the challenges faced by those relying on public transport, as increased fuel prices often lead to higher fares.
To cope with the situation, some workers have resorted to carpooling, using trains, or staff buses and cutting other expenses. The civil servants are urging the government to implement measures to improve public transportation and reduce the cost of living to alleviate their financial burden.