By Brave Dickson
Commercial drivers in Rivers State have threatened to increase transport fare in the state following the recent hike in fuel price by the federal government.
The Federal Government had on Wednesday announced an increase in the new pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as Petrol to N143.80 per litre.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Abdulkadir Saidu, in a circular dated Wednesday, July 1, 2020, to oil marketers.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Chairman, Urban Drivers Welfare Association of Rivers State, Mr Lekia Isaac said; “We are not happy with the recent increase in fuel price by the federal government.
“Locking down schools, markets, and ceremonial gatherings largely affected our transport business because these are the places where we get most of our passengers.
“But we didn’t complain because the lockdown was aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
“As though that was not enough, the government had gone ahead to increase the price of petrol and on the other hand ordering us to reduce the passengers we used to carry per trip.
“We will still obey the reduction of passengers per trip as ordered by the government.
“But let me also use this medium to appeal to the public to bear with us on our resolve to increase transport fare.
“That is the only way we can cope with the increase in fuel price and at the same time survive in this transport business.”
