The Kaduna State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has reported a significant decrease of over 50 percent in traveler numbers as the Yuletide season nears.
Commercial motorists were running at a loss due to the poor economic situation of the country
The economic challenges in Nigeria have been a persistent issue, affecting various sectors, and the transportation industry is no exception. Commercial motorists, who play a crucial role in facilitating the movement of people and goods across the country, find themselves navigating a landscape marred by inflation, rising fuel prices, and a general downturn in economic activities.
One of the primary factors contributing to the decline in traveler numbers is the notable increase in transportation fares. Malam Bature Suleiman pointed out that the spike in fuel pump prices directly translates to higher operational costs for commercial drivers. As a result, these costs are passed on to the passengers in the form of increased fares. This phenomenon has become a significant deterrent for potential travelers, especially as the holiday season, traditionally characterized by increased movement, approaches.
The report from the NURTW highlights that commercial motorists are currently running at a loss due to the poor economic situation of the country. With fewer travelers and higher operational costs, many drivers are finding it challenging to sustain their livelihoods. This not only affects individual drivers but also has a ripple effect on the larger transportation ecosystem, potentially leading to disruptions in service and a decrease in the overall efficiency of the transportation network.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, Malam Bature Suleiman, the state NURTW secretary, highlighted that this decline is primarily attributed to the considerable increase in transportation fares resulting from the rise in fuel pump prices.
“People no longer travel but only prefer to send messages to their loved ones. Sadly, if you go to our motor parks now, you will see a lot of vehicles waiting without passengers.
“People don’t have money to travel until it becomes necessary; they prefer to send waybill messages,” Suleiman noted.
He said commercial motorists were running at a loss due to the poor economic situation of the country, adding, “Apart from the increase in fuel prices, we have a lot of bad roads, and a lot of policies taken in the transportation sector are not favourable.”
The official lamented the alleged multiple taxes that members of the union had been paying, describing the situation as very bad.
He said, “There are lots of revenues attached to transportation, as the government now seems to have its focus on the sector. Currently, there is an increment so great that what the driver would get at the end of the day is nothing to write home about. Drivers would just be doing the work without any gain from it.”
